Who does the FCC presume to be the control operator of an amateur station, unless documentation to the contrary is in the station records?

The correct answer is that the FCC presumes the station licensee to be the control operator of an amateur station. This is based on the regulations set forth by the FCC, which stipulate that the individual who holds the license for the amateur station is responsible for the operation of that station. The station licensee is ultimately accountable for ensuring compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.

This presumption is key because the control operator holds legal responsibility for the content of communications on the station and adherence to technical standards. In situations where the licensee is not present, if there is no documentation indicating another control operator, the FCC will still presume that the licensee has control.

In contrast, other options such as the station custodian or the person operating the station equipment do not inherently have control operator status without explicit documentation. Similarly, a third-party participant may operate the station under certain conditions, but it does not change the presumption regarding the licensee's role. Hence, the FCC's regulations place clear responsibility on the station licensee, reinforcing the importance of proper record-keeping and the authority of the licensee in managing the amateur station.