SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-third-party-definition

What are third-party communications in amateur radio?

They are messages exchanged by control operators on behalf of another person.

Start playing free

  1. Three stations talking together
  2. Using another person's transmitter
  3. A message sent on behalf of another person ✔

Why: Third-party communication is a message handled between station control operators for someone else. The term does not mean that three radio stations are talking.

Huh, didn't know that: The other person is the third party whose message the amateur stations carry.

The dad joke
Why was the third party good at radio? It always got the message across.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: A message sent on behalf of another person. Third-party communication is a message handled between station control operators for someone else. The term does not mean that three radio stations are talking.

  1. 2026-2030 Technician Class Question Pool ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf
    on behalf of another person
    Checked 2026-10-09.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Ham RadioHow does Part 97 define an amateur space station?Ham RadioWhat does broadcasting mean in amateur radio rules?Ham RadioWhat is an amateur station's control point?

That's stuff everyone should know.