Hospital Use of Ham Radio

Over the past couple of months, we have learned of several Hospitals wanting

their staff to obtain ham radio licenses to enable the staff to

operate Amateur Radio equipment placed in the Hospital during

emergencies.

In consultation with retired FCC Legal Counsel Riley Hollingworth and by

reviewing Federal regulation 47 CFR Part 97 in Section 97.113 Prohibited

Transmissions, Exceptions, we find that the Regulation does allow

amateur radio licensed hospital staff limited use of the amateur radio

equipment for tests and drills ONLY.  The Regulation spells out the

parameters of the limited use.

This limited use does NOT allow amateur radio licensed hospital staff to

use the amateur radio equipment during actual emergencies.  Amateur

radio licensed volunteer groups like ARES are the best alternative to

providing emergency communications for Hospitals and other NGO

agencies.

Please share the above information with anyone asking for clarification

or contact David Overton, KF5WDJ our Section Emergency Coordinator or

myself for more information.

73,

Dale – W5WI

WTX Section Manager