Question E1F06:
[1.931] Under what circumstances might the FCC issue a Special Temporary Authority (STA) to an amateur station?  

Choices:  
A: To provide for experimental amateur communications  
B: To allow use of a special event call sign  
C: To allow a VE group with less than three VEs to administer examinations in a remote, sparsely populated area  
D: To allow a licensee who has passed an upgrade exam to operate with upgraded privileges while waiting for posting on the FCC database    

Correct Answer is  A: To provide for experimental amateur communications  

E1F06 Explanation

Correct answer: A — To provide for experimental amateur communications

1) Why A is correct
- The FCC can grant a Special Temporary Authority (STA) to permit operations not otherwise allowed by the rules for a short period (typically up to 180 days). This is often used for experimentation, propagation studies, testing new technologies, or temporary operations requiring deviations from Part 97. See 47 CFR §1.931 for STA procedures.

2) Why the other choices are incorrect
- B: Special event call signs are obtained through the 1x1 Special Event Call Sign System, not via an STA. An STA is not needed for that.
- C: Part 97 requires at least three accredited VEs to administer exams (§97.509). The FCC does not use STAs to waive the three-VE requirement; even remote exams must have three VEs.
- D: You may not operate with upgraded privileges until your new license class appears in the FCC database (§97.9). A CSCE is proof of passing but does not grant operating authority by itself. The FCC does not issue STAs for this.

3) Useful rules of thumb
- STA = short-term permission for something otherwise not allowed by the rules, typically for experiments or urgent temporary needs.
- Duration is temporary (often up to 180 days) and may be renewed; it’s not for routine convenience.
- No STA is needed for special event calls or to shortcut VE requirements or licensing database updates.