The Official Observer program has been sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) for more than 50 years to help amateurs help each other. OO appointees have assisted thousands of amateurs to maintain their transmitting equipment and operating procedures in compliance with the regulations. The object of the OO program is to notify amateurs by mail of operating/technical irregularities before they come to the attention of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The OO performs his function by listening rather than transmitting, keeping an ear out for such things as frequency instability, harmonics, hum, key clicks, broad signals, distorted audio, over deviation, out-of-band operation, etc. The OO completes his task once the notification card is sent.

In hard-core rule violation cases, OOs refer problems to higher echelons of the Amateur Auxiliary, and may be requested to gather evidence for possible FCC enforcement actions.

Requirements:

1) Must take and pass an exam to be certified as a member of the Amateur Auxiliary, an FCC requirement, based on study of the ARRL's Amateur Auxiliary Training Manual.

2) Must be an ARRL Full Member and have been a licensee of Technician Class or higher for at least 4 years.

3) Must report to the OO Coordinator regularly.

4) Maintain regular activity in sending out advisory notices as needed. 5 hour min. monthly.

The OO program is one of the most important functions of the ARRL. A sincere dedication to helping our fellow amateurs is required for appointment.

Amateur Auxiliary Info

Official Observer Application

Thank you,
Carla Ackley, KD7JGJ
Official Observer Coordinator (OOC) - ARRL Arizona Section

Arizona Ham Radio, Arizona Amateur Radio