title_body: When flying FPV with a 5.8ghz video transmitter, is an Amateur Radio License (Ham license) required? What are the legal requirements I need to know when operating a 5.8ghz video transmitter like the ones often used for flying FPV?  
  
  Are the rules different around the world?  Is a technicians class amateur radio license sufficient?  What about the requirement to transmit your call sign every 10 minutes?  Is that necessary in this use case and if so, how do you comply?
upvoted_answer: No, you do not require an Amateur licence to use this equipment.
  
  Most RC equipment that operates at 5.8GHz (or 2.4GHz) makes use of what is known as an ISM band, a series of frequencies made available for anyone to use (historically for Industrial, Scientific and Medical purposes) subject to certain restrictions - such as transmitter power.
  
  These restrictions have been set so that everyone gets fair use (rather than becoming an RF shouting match) and to minimise the harm caused if misused.
  
  So long as the equipment complies with your local regulations for ISM equipment you are able to use it. The difficulty can be verifying this compliance without test equipment; reputable products will usually be correctly tested and constructed, whereas some inexpensive/unbranded clones might have cut corners to save money which means they are no longer legal. It's generally safe to assume it complies if it is supposed to, but different countries may be more strict on enforcing this.
  
  However, having an Amateur licence may allow you to do more. If your jurisdiction allows using Ham gear on drones then - so long as you comply with all requirements (usually things like regular ID, no secret encryption and not commercial use) - you would be free to use the power limits and frequencies granted in your licence.