Question
Which of the following is required by the FCC rules when operating in the 60-meter band?
Answer Options
- A) If you are using an antenna other than a dipole, you must keep a record of the gain of your antenna
- B) You must keep a record of the date, time, frequency, power level, and stations worked
- C) You must keep a record of all third-party traffic
- D) You must keep a record of the manufacturer of your equipment and the antenna used
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
Due to the unique, shared, and channelized nature of the 60\text{-meter} band, FCC Rule \S 97.303(\text{i}) imposes specific logging requirements. If an amateur is using an antenna other than a half-wave dipole, they must keep a record of the antenna’s gain relative to an isotropic radiator (dBi). This is necessary because the power limit on 60\text{m} is specified as Effective Radiated Power (ERP) relative to a half-wave dipole, not just transmitter output power.
By requiring a record of the antenna gain, the FCC ensures that the operator can accurately calculate their ERP to stay below the 100-watt limit relative to a dipole. This is crucial for protecting the primary users of the band.
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