What am I allowed to say on the air, and what is forbidden?
What you may send
Permitted messages are:
- technical investigations, or remarks of a personal character;
- signals that are not enciphered (not in secret code);
- digital communications: data, RTTY, AMTOR.
Two digital terms to know: RTTY is radio teletype, and AMTOR is amateur teleprinting over radio.
What "messages" and "signals" cover
The words include telephony (speech), Morse telegraphy, and visual communications: SSTV (slow-scan television), FSTV (fast-scan television) and facsimile.
Codes and abbreviations
Codes and abbreviations are allowed only as long as they do not obscure the meaning or impede communication. "73" and "CQ" are fine because everyone understands them. A private code that hides your meaning is not.
What you may never transmit
You may not transmit music, public broadcasts or speeches.
Transmitting misleading information is an offence under Section 44 of the Act.
You now know
- You may send technical investigations, personal remarks, unenciphered signals and digital communications.
- Messages and signals include telephony, Morse, SSTV, FSTV and facsimile.
- Codes and abbreviations must not obscure the meaning.
- No music, public broadcasts or speeches; misleading information is an offence.