How many operator/primary station license grants may be held by any one person?
A. One
Correct. The FCC rules specify that an individual may hold only one operator/primary station license grant at any given time.
B. No more than two
Incorrect. The FCC does not allow individuals to hold more than one operator/primary station license grant.
C. One for each band on which the person plans to operate
Incorrect. The number of bands a person plans to operate on does not affect the number of station license grants.
D. One for each permanent station location from which the person plans to operate
Incorrect. Station location does not determine the number of license grants an individual can hold.
Explanation
In the United States, the rules governing amateur radio are established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and are detailed in Part 97 of the FCC Rules. Among these rules, one pertains specifically to the number of operator/primary station license grants a single individual can hold. According to section 97.5(b)(1) of the FCC rules, an individual may hold only one operator/primary station license grant at any given time. This regulation ensures that the management of call signs and licenses remains systematic and avoids unnecessary complexity in the licensing process. It also helps in maintaining a clear record of amateur radio operators and simplifies the regulatory oversight by the FCC. When an amateur radio operator obtains a license, they are granted a unique call sign to identify their transmissions. If multiple licenses were allowed for the same person, it could lead to confusion and difficulty in managing these identifiers for both the operator and the FCC.