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Privacy - Ham Callsigns Lookups on FCC Database?
catchy_handle asks: "In the US, all amateur radio (ham) call signs are public record. Anyone with a decent police scanner can listen to the local hams on the 2m and 70cm bands. Given an operator's call sign, one can search the FCC databases which will return the licensees street address, among other data. As a future ham, I found this thread on eHam.net somewhat alarming. The majority of respondents stated that it's always been this way, that they have nothing to hide, and to stop being paranoid. [I disagree.] As a victim of ID theft, the less joe-crack-head knows about me the better. I'm pretty sure of the typical Slashdot reader's angle here, but my question is to the hams: Does this bother you? Or is it part of tradition and something a good operator should be proud of? Is it too late since these guys already know all?"
"I was surprised by the resistance to reconsider the status-quo, to adapt to the new reality of criminals with computers.
I suggested that the portals to the public databases be replaced with a challenge/response system such that if someone wanted my address, I'd get a notification from the QSL bureau, or the FCC that so-and-so was requesting access to my data. I could then decide to grant or deny that request. One person said that California's DMV works this way already (very cool). Another option: anyone is allowed to provide a PO Box to the FCC, instead of a street address, but that's an extra expense to many. "
By FCC guidelines, the location of every licensed station in the US (this includes AM, FM, Ham, etc). must be available to the public.
They don't have a choice. Primary place of operation must be listed to register a callsign.
Long before the Web, I recall looking up hams in those giant Callbooks.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
This is really not the time for that argument. This is really not a privacy issue.
Being a ham radio operator is entirely optional, there's no way to argue that not being one deprives you of livlihood. If you want to make a "free speech" argument, then you better complain about the many other ham rules that prevent you from cursing on the air, and many other rules about the types of traffic that are acceptable. Those would be much more important to address if you view ham as some sort of outlet for free speech.
The global nature of the airwaves means that unique rules apply. It's entirely possible for one person, unknowingly, to spew noise over a bunch of frequencies over a large area. You might not even know what frequency that person is listening to. With the database, you can send him a letter and let him know about the problem.
Do you have a problem with domain names requiring contact info that is publicly available? It's a similar situation, where one site operator can adversely affect many other sites. Do you advocate a system where there are no listed abuse contacts for a domain?
I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
How many slashdotters own a domain name (or 10)? My name address and phone number have been available in the Whois database since Jan 1997. Those who aren't such Internet newbs have had their info in Whois for better than a decade. So many of my friends have domain names that I've occasionally used Whois to look up their phone numbers. (I'm not sure I want to think about what that says about me or my friends).
Is it a problem? I don't think so. Home/mailing addresses and phone numbers are pretty trivial to get for just about anyone. What's the harm in having yet another source?
Then again, maybe this attitude will come back to haunt me...
Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
If you're broadcasting, then your exact location can be determined WITHOUT A DATABASE! You're sending out an easily-triangulatable radio signal. So why is having an address in a searchable database so much more invasive?
Certainly from a practical standpoint it makes harvesting easier... but on the "principle" of the thing is seems to me that any HAM operator is already publishing their location simply by broadcasting.
DiscDividers tabbed plastic CD dividers: divider cards f
We have had this system in use in Australia for a considerable time now, and there are regular publications such as the WIA Callbook which contain copies of most of the callsign info. I think that it is fair enough to publish that information, we are after all using the government's spectrum. It makes operators much more accountable for their actions and is handy when you are trying to figure out whos who and whats what on which frequency.
-- Book
The FCC requires all radio stations to identify themselves with their callsign. This makes it much easier to track down sources of interference when combined with the license database.
The license database encourages accountability, and I think it should be kept a public record.
Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
I have noticed this before, but it doesn't particularly bother me. By the way, I've been in the database for a few years now and I'm not in WhitePages.com.
Actually, what does bother me is that my Dad has taken steps to not show up on WhitePages.com and other similar pages, not show up in the phone book and such, and yet there is a whole lot of info you can find on him just typing his name into google because of the organizations he's in (and specifically their newsletters).
There's not a whole lot that he can do about this, but still, it seems like companies and organizations could be a lot better about putting info on the web. If it must be there, at least put in the simple robots file...
if you google my name, the first result is both my callsign and my dad's callsign showing our address, home phone number, etc. i mentioned it to my dad, and he didn't seem bothered by it. the only thing that worried him is whether it had our SSNs. it doesn't, so we're not worried.
in fact, more recently, if you look through the CDBS form 349 entries for Radio Assist Ministry and Edgewater Broadcasting, you'll find my name (in a handlful of applications) and the name (and address) of my current employer there. that doesn't bother me either.
honestly, if you're willing to get a licence, you should be willing to open yourself as a public contact. if you're not, then don't have a license for any broadcast permissions.
the FCC has always been public. why bother changing that?
grey wolf
LET FORTRAN DIE!