Who is accountable if a repeater inadvertently retransmits communications that violate the FCC rules?

• A. The control operator of the originating station
• B. The owner of the repeater
• C. The licensed operator using the repeater
• D. All participants in the communication

Answer: (A)

In this scenario, accountability for the content of communications that violate FCC rules primarily falls on the control operator of the originating station. The control operator is responsible for ensuring that all transmissions comply with FCC regulations, regardless of how those transmissions are disseminated, including through a repeater system.

This is due to the principle that the person at the controls of a transmitting station must maintain proper conduct and adhere to legal requirements during all operations. The FCC holds this operator accountable for the nature of the signals being transmitted and is liable for any violations, even if the communication is subsequently retransmitted by a repeater.

The other parties mentioned, while possibly involved in the communication process, do not hold the same level of responsibility. The owner of the repeater might bear some ethical or operational responsibility for the integrity of the frequency they manage, but legal accountability typically rests with the operator actively controlling the transmission. Similarly, while licensed operators using the repeater should be aware that their transmissions adhere to regulations, their responsibility is often associated with their station and cannot be held in the same light as the originating station's control operator.