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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-music-spacecraft-retransmission

When may an amateur phone transmission include music?

Only when incidental to an authorized crewed-spacecraft retransmission.

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  1. During an authorized crewed-spacecraft retransmission ✔
  2. When it creates no spurious emissions
  3. For less than three minutes per hour

Why: Music is not generally authorized on amateur phone transmissions. It may be incidental to an authorized retransmission of communications from a crewed spacecraft.

Huh, didn't know that: The exception depends on the authorized retransmission, not on the music's length or frequency.

The dad joke
What music does a spacecraft radio play? A little space jam.
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References

Answer: During an authorized crewed-spacecraft retransmission. Music is not generally authorized on amateur phone transmissions. It may be incidental to an authorized retransmission of communications from a crewed spacecraft.

  1. 2026-2030 Technician Class Question Pool ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf
    When incidental to an authorized retransmission of manned spacecraft communications
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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