Question E1F07:
[97.113] When may an amateur station send a message to a business?  

Choices:  
A: When the pecuniary interest of the amateur or his or her employer is less than $25  
B: When the pecuniary interest of the amateur or his or her employer is less than $50  
C: At no time  
D: When neither the amateur nor their employer has a pecuniary interest in the communications    

Correct Answer is  D: When neither the amateur nor their employer has a pecuniary interest in the communications  

Correct answer: D — When neither the amateur nor their employer has a pecuniary interest in the communications.

Why D is correct:
- FCC Part 97.113(a)(3) prohibits amateur transmissions “in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer.”
- The rules do not forbid contacting a business per se; they forbid communications that further you or your employer’s financial interests.
- Therefore, contacting a business is permitted only when there is no pecuniary interest involved.

Why the other choices are incorrect:
- A and B: No dollar thresholds exist in the rules. Any pecuniary interest, regardless of amount, is prohibited.
- C: “At no time” is too strict. Communications to a business are allowed if there is no pecuniary interest, and there are emergency exceptions (e.g., 97.403, 97.405).

Useful rules of thumb:
- Key test: Allowed if and only if there is zero pecuniary interest.
  - If $I_{\text{pecuniary}} = 0$ → generally permitted.
  - If $I_{\text{pecuniary}} > 0$ → prohibited.
- You may not conduct business for yourself or your employer over amateur radio.
- Emergency exception: Immediate safety of life or protection of property may override restrictions (97.403, 97.405).
- No “small amount” loophole: There is no $25 or $50 exemption in Part 97.