+++ date = "2019-05-03T10:11:13-05:00" #publishdate = "2019-05-03T10:11:13-05:00" title = "Protect Yourself During Mobile Operation in Minnesota" authors = [ "K0STK" ] categories = [ "Education" ] tags = [] +++ Amateur Radio Operators engaged in mobile operation in the State of Minnesota should consider carrying two documents to help defend themselves in the event they are stopped for potentially violating the recently ammended Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 169.011, subdivision 94; 169.475 USE OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE (169.475); these amendments, enacted by HF50, are effective August 1, 2019.
This blog post is general information, not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. Please consult your lawyer to address specific legal issues.
- Engrossed text of MN HF50 exempting amateur radio equipment from definition as a wireless communications device under 169.475 (local archive copy)
- FCC Amateur Radio License copy
While these documents may be useful in clarifying situations where Law Enforcement personnel consider the non-handsfree use of amateur radio equipment to be a violation of 169.475, they are not to be treated as a get out of jail free card; courtesy and tact should govern all interactions with Law Enforcement personnel.
On February 17, 2015, the FCC stopped routinely issuing paper license documents to Amateur Radio applicants and licensees. While the FCC has long considered the electronic records in their Universal Licensing System (ULS) to be the auctual official Amateur Radio license authorizations, there are situations where an offical paper copy of a license is needed.
This YouTube video succinctly demonstrates the process of downloading official and reference copies of your Amateur Radio license. You will need to know the password associated with your FRN to download the official copy.
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Although it is "easier" to download the reference copy of an Amateur Radio license, these reference copies include a prominent notice stating they are not an official FCC license; this notice may be an issue in certain circumstances.