HamSphere Rules for the Ham Radio Bands 10-160m / 2m and 70cm.

(48m BC Band rules

are covered further down in this document) (2016-06-14)
1. Always listen if the frequency is clear before you call. Be courteous!
2. Always use your own call sign, either your HAM-call or approved HS-call. Identify yourself
with your call sign at least once every 10 minutes and when starting/ending QSOs.
3. Call CQ on any clear frequency. There are no calling frequencies on the Ham Bands (except
27.555 MHz on 11m)
4. Keep your modulation within the ALC level 3-5 for VOICE operation.
5. Keep your modulation MAX ALC level 1.5 for CW operation with own sinewave oscillator.
6. For CW operation, stay on 160, 80 and 30 meters..
7. Use only as much power as you need to maintain a QSO depending on the propagation.
8. Always use small letters when communicating in the chat.
9. SSTV and digital modes prohibited except on 30 meters.
10. Music broadcast is not allowed on any bands.
11. Live Trunking/Linking with other Amateur Radio systems is not allowed if link allows outgoing
transmission from the HamSphere band. The reason being the fact that we have unlicensed
users on this system.
12. Amateur Radio is commercial free. Absolutely NO Commercial ADVERTISING of own
products in Chat or Verbally. Failure to follow this directive will result in banning of your account.
13. The HamSphere account. Breaking any of these rules will render your account banned.
a) Treat your HamSphere personal. Never share the account or password with somebody else,
even if supervised. Never log in to an account that belongs to someone else. We log ALL
activity. (There may be exceptions during JOTA/JOTI activations).
b) Do not create multiple trial accounts, unless instructed by the HamSphere management.
c) Do not create accounts for somebody else.
d) HamSphere determines your country or location by your IP address and assigns you an
appropriate home call sign prefix that should always reflect the country/location you are
transmitting from. You may not (by manipulation) create a call sign with a different

country/location prefix than where you physically are. (Except when the HamSphere
Management creates an account for you in advance such as Dxpeditions and Activations).
e) Selling HamSphere accounts is strictly forbidden.
f) If you temporarily travel to another country you may use your home call sign there if it is
subscribed and equipped with a "Reciprocal Prefix" and updated Lat/Long coordinates.
Otherwise it will be automatically blocked. Using accounts in the US or Canada shall always
reflect the State or Territory you transmit from and where you physically are.
(JOTA - Jamborees On The Air are however accepted as Second Operators).
14. Please do not use our Web Page PM system (Private Messages) to ask for QSL cards.
Sending and receiving QSL cards is a traditional part of the amateur radio hobby and you are
encouraged to confirm your contacts with a QSL cards on HamSphere, but it is not mandatory.
15. "Roger Beeps" (Beeps signalling end of transmission) are not allowed on HamSphere due to
the splatter/overhearing risk into adjacent frequencies.
16. Please only send one QSL card to a user you actually contacted. Do not send QSL cards
without making contact please.
17. Please respect scheduled Net frequencies and stop transmitting before a scheduled net is
about to start. HamSphere may assign specific frequencies and times for official Nets. Always
follow the Net Controller's instructions when a Net is in progress.

Finally a word on "Freedom of speech"

HamSphere is "pro" Freedom of Speech, but we prohibit, just as Ofcom and FCC in their
Amateur Radio acts, Music, codes and ciphers, criminal activity, false signals, broadcasting,
retransmitting radio signals, obscenity, indecency, sex, extreme religion, extreme politics and
commercial advertising. While we support freedom of speech, we need to remember that there
are many listeners of all ages who use our system. Our language should be courteous and
sensitive to the considerations of all listeners, free of expletives and sexual connotations, and

suitable for family conversations.

Our system is constantly monitored by our staff to make sure that the rules are followed. The
staff may at any point record audio and/or text messages on the system for your safety if they
suspect that the system is not being used according to the regulations.
The HamSphere Code of conduct
Each operator must follow the rules below:

Amateur Radio Do's

Always be polite regardless of the circumstances. If not, avoid transmitting.
Set a good example especially for short wave listeners who may be thinking about becoming a
ham.
Be a good listener. It will help you better organize your thoughts before transmitting.
Reply to a CQ, or call CQ yourself. It helps keep alive the magic of ham radio.
Speak clearly and slowly, especially when giving your call sign to someone you have never
worked before.
Promote friendship and goodwill to DX contacts. Look for ways to get to know each other rather
than simply exchanging signal reports and 73s!
Try to keep track of everyone in the QSO. Hopefully someone has assumed the role of "traffic
director" to make sure everyone has a chance to contribute to the discussion. If not, don't
hesitate to do it yourself.
Make it clear at the end of each transmission which station is expected to transmit next. Try to
do this even when operating VOX.

Operate on frequencies that are in whole KHz (e.g. 7.070 Khz). This alleviates ambiguity and
makes it easier for everyone to be on the same frequency.
Openly praise other hams when you observe them doing something that you feel is especially
deserving. e.g., helping demonstrate ham radio to a group of scouts.
Always be ready to quickly and calmly respond to emergency situations. Rehearse what you
would do if presented with various scenarios.
Make a point to try other bands than just 40 and 6 meters. Good operating practices are
especially prevalent on these bands.
Look for opportunities to "Elmer" newly licensed hams when you hear them on the HF bands.
Welcome them, solicit their questions and give them pointers on good operating practices.
Remember that no one country can proclaim to be the leader of the Amateur Radio world.
Likewise, no one country's foreign policy is any more right or wrong than that of another
country.
Develop good operating practices. You will be doing your part in helping insure the continuance
of our long and proud tradition of self-regulation.

Amateur Radio Don'ts

Don't act like some sort of Broadcast Radio station. Your fellow Amateurs will most likely not
appreciate such a blatant display of personal ego.
Don't do Commercial ADVERTISING in Chat or Verbally. Amateur Radio is commercial free.
Failure to follow this directive will result in banning of your account.
Don't acknowledge the presence of deliberate interference. After all, that's most likely the overall
objective of the person doing the interfering.

Don't be excessively long winded especially when in a round-table discussion and during times
when band conditions are changing.
Don't just talk about ham radio. Most hams have many more interests.
Don't operate when you are in a bad mood. You will be that much more vulnerable to losing your
temper.
Don't overuse Q-codes and other ham jargon on the phone bands.
Don't claim or homestead any particular frequency for nets, schedules, etc unless you have an
approved NET schedule authorized by HamSphere. If your designated frequency is already in
use, simply move up or down as necessary.
Don't transmit before first determining that the frequency is clear. This includes transmitting
within 10 Khz of other known QSOs.
Don't break into an ongoing QSO unless you can hear the majority of the participants.
Don't use the word "break" or "QSK" when wanting to join an on-going QSO. Simply give
your call sign between transmissions and reserve the use of the word "break" for more
urgent situations.
Don't join an ongoing QSO unless you have something to contribute to the discussion. It
is especially rude to interrupt other hams with a request for audio checks, signal reports,
etc.

Don't ignore someone new to a round table QSO. We should all do our part to make everyone
feel welcome. Avoid making the discussion appear exclusive to your particular circle of friends.
Don't test your transmitter over the air. It is far better to use a dummy load.
Don't cough, sneeze or clear your throat into your microphone.

Don't become a "Band Policeman" quick to tell others what you feel they are doing wrong. In
instances where it may be called for, always be polite and constructive.
Don't turn up your microphone gain or resort to excessive speech processing in order to be
heard. Such practices will most likely result in diminished audio quality and increased likelihood
of interference to nearby QSOs.
Don't operate in any fashion that is not in keeping with good amateur practice. Be certain to
always comply with the provisions of Part 97 of the rules.
Don't knowingly interfere with an ongoing QSO just because you are working DX, especially split
frequency.
Don't say that the frequency "is not" in use when you hear someone inquire. Refrain from
responding at all unless you know for certain that the frequency or one nearby "is" in use.
Dear Broadcaster,
Thank you for your interest in becoming a broadcaster on the virtual 48m shortwave band on
HamSphere 4.0.
Please fill out the following details:
Requested Callsign (4 letters/numbers):
Station name:
Station manager Name:
QTH (City and country):
Email:
Operating frequency:
Coordinates:
Antennas used:
Intended power use (ERP) and AZIMUTH:
Transmission times UTC:
Purpose of broadcast:

HamSphere Broadcast Agreement Clause:

The rules for Internet Radio streaming are very fuzzy and music royalties seem to be, but not
always, determined of the revenue of the broadcaster which will in this case be zero or nothing.
There is no direct rule or common guidelines for music streaming on the Internet as of yet and
the vary from case to case and country to country.
The royalty rules might also be affected by the listener universe that we know is not more than a
few thousand potential listeners within the HamSphere community, but may not apply to a
closed society like HamSphere at all. In addition the listener universe is constantly changing by
the 48m propagation. The audio bandwidth is also limited to 4 kHz which also affects the music
listening quality.

Waivers:
Waiver 1: The broadcaster, namely yourself, takes full responsibility for an eventual Music
royalty issue that may occur
from your broadcast.
Waiver 2: You the broadcaster fully understand the propagation properties of the HamSphere
4.0 virtual 48m band and its limitations and HamSphere can not be held responsible for an
eventual loss of signal.
The cost is 20 Euro for existing subscribers and 50 Euro for new users and includes:
1. License to broadcast on from us one dedicated frequency between 6205 to 6290 with the
properties described above. The license comes as a separate RADIO_XXXX account.
2. A special BC:er Plugin that will enable you to see number of listeners, send and receive
listener reports, power management, area coverage prediction. Will be available ASAP.
3. The option of amplify your virtual RF signal with a factor 10 through the Plugin.
4. A special monitor account equipped with an IDC antenna that can be set to an arbitrary

coordinate to evaluate listening quality in different targets of the world.

If you agree to this, please reply "Yes. I have read and accept the HamSphere Broadcast
Agreement Clause".
Don't ridicule other hams or express any negative views of the overall state of Amateur Radio. If
you don't have something positive and constructive to say, avoid saying anything at all.
Any breech of these rules stated above may render your account banned with no means of
refund.
http://www.arrl.org/part-97-amateur-radio

48M BC Band rules

HamSphere Broadcast Agreement Clause:
Broadcasting is only allowed on HamSphere 4.0.
The HamSphere 3.0 BC band is assigned to HamSphere Management only.
The rules for Internet Radio streaming are very fuzzy and music royalties seem to be, but not
always, determined of the revenue of the broadcaster which will in this case be zero or nothing.
There is no direct rule or common guidelines for music streaming on the Internet as of yet and
they vary from case to case and country to country and you should check the relevant Internet
streaming rules for your country.
The royalty rules might also be affected by the listener universe that we know is not more than a
few thousand potential listeners within the HamSphere community, but may not apply to a
closed society like HamSphere at all. In addition the listener universe is constantly changing by
the 48m propagation. The audio bandwidth is also limited to 4 kHz which also affects the music
listening quality.

Waivers:

Waiver 1: The broadcaster, namely yourself, takes full responsibility for an eventual Music
royalty issue that may occur
from your broadcast.
Waiver 2: You the broadcaster fully understand the propagation properties of the HamSphere
4.0 virtual 48m band and its limitations and HamSphere can not be held responsible for an
eventual loss of signal.
Waiver 3: Program content: Avoid obscenity, indecency, sex, extreme religion, extreme politics
and commercial advertising. While we support freedom of speech, we need to remember that
there are many listeners of all ages who use our system. Our language should be courteous and
sensitive to the considerations of all listeners, free of expletives and sexual connotations, and
suitable for family listening.
The cost is 20 Euro for existing subscribers and 50 Euro for new users and includes:
1. License to broadcast on HamSphere 4.0 from us one dedicated frequency between 6205 to
6290 with the properties described above. The license comes as a separate RADIO_XXXX
account.
2. You will receive a special BC:er plug-in that will enable to send and receive listener reports,
power management etc.
3. The option of amplify your virtual RF signal with a factor 10 through the Plugin.
4. A special monitor account equipped with an IDC antenna that can be set to an arbitrary
coordinate to evaluate listening quality in different targets of the world.