Requirements for Frequency Use 

Experiments at JIFX must comply with U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations for radio frequency (RF) emissions. Active frequency management and monitoring is conducted during all JIFX events, and any experiment not in compliance must be stopped immediately. Reporting and approval requirements can vary depending on the type of organization conducting the experiment, the type of device, and the frequencies used. Use this page as a guide for your reporting and approval requirements, submit any required information to us by the scheduled dates, and address any questions to npsfx@nps.edu.​​​​​​

For all JIFX Experimenters:  

• Report as much information as early as you can on your experiment proposal.  
• If you are waiting for certifications, authorizations, or licenses, submit as much information as you currently have with your experiment proposal. Then contact us at npsfx@nps.edu to update us on the status and additional information as you have it.  
• Please note that we cannot confirm your participation at JIFX until all of the information is complete, and failure to submit this information by the required dates may prevent your participation in the corresponding event.  
• If you cannot be approved for participation in a particular event, we encourage you to consider participation in our next quarterly event.

Instructions for Commercial, Academic and other non-U.S. Government Experimenters:

• Part 15 Certified Devices
  • Army Regulation 5-12 (8 February 2020), Chapter 5, Section 3(b) governs the use of Part 15 certified devices at JIFX.  
  • Report devices on your experiment proposal. Include the name, manufacturer, type, frequencies, bandwidth, and power of the device.
  • For prototype devices, include the Part 15 compliance certification number and the name of the TCB issuing the certification.
• Other Devices
  • Report the device on your experiment proposal. Include the FCC license or Special Temporary Authority (STA) information, along with the name, manufacturer, type, frequencies, bandwidth and power of the device.
  • If you do not have an FCC License or STA for your device, you must apply directly to the FCC and have received it BEFORE we can confirm your participation at JIFX.
    • The FCC license application is FCC Form 601: Application for Radio Service Authorization, which can also be filed online.
    • Special Temporary Authorizations can be requested here.

Instructions for U.S. Government Experimenters:

• Part 15 Certified Devices
  • Army Regulation 5-12 (8 February 2020), Chapter 5, Section 3(b) governs the use of Part 15 certified devices at JIFX.  
  • Report devices on your experiment proposal. Include the name, manufacturer, type, frequencies, bandwidth, and power of the device.
  • For prototype devices, include the Part 15 compliance certification number and the name of the TCB issuing the certification.
• Other Devices
  • Report the device on your experiment proposal. Include the J/F-12 number from your approved DD Form 1494, along with the name, manufacturer, type, frequencies, bandwidth, and power of the device.
  • The NPS JIFX staff will contact you for any additional information to complete the Standard Frequency Action Format (SFAF) documentation.

Is my device "Part 15" certified?

"Part 15" refers to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, Chapter I, Subchapter A, Part 15. 

Many commercial RF devices are Part 15 certified and can be identified by the FCC logo on the device and/or a statement in the User's Manual. Prototype devices can also be Part 15 certified.

JIFX requires all devices operating under FCC Part 15 rules to be certified an authorized Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB). 

Part 15 compliance certification only applies to devices operating in unlicensed bands under specific parameters. If you are seeking Part 15 compliance certification, please consult the FCC's Spectrum Dashboard to determine if your device utilizes a licensed or unlicensed band and Part 15 itself for requirements specific to the frequency band and type of device. Neither JIFX nor NPS can assist with obtaining Part 15 compliance certification.