What changed
Third-party traffic and emergencies — edited Aug 31, 2026 by Unknown editor
This is the first recorded version, so every line is shown as added. Note: Imported from content/wiki
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## Third-party traffic
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A non-licensed person may speak over your station while you are present at the control point and
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acting as control operator. This is how a shelter manager talks directly to an EOC, and how children
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at a demonstration get to say hello.
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**Internationally** it is restricted: third-party traffic is only permitted with countries that have
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a third-party agreement with the US. Canada does; many countries do not.
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## Emergency provisions
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- **Section 97.403** — you may use any means of radiocommunication at your disposal to provide
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essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and protection
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of property when normal systems are unavailable.
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- **Section 97.405** — a station in distress may use any means to attract attention and obtain
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assistance, on any frequency, in any service.
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- **RACES** operation follows the direction of the responsible civil defense organization.
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These are for genuine emergencies. "The repeater was busy" is not one.
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## Practical guidance for served-agency work
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- Do not pass patient names or medical details in the clear. Encryption is prohibited, so summarize
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or use a numbering system agreed with the agency in advance.
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- Log everything with times.
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- Follow the agency's incident command structure; you are a communicator, not a decision maker.