02-13-2001, 07:58 PM
Last week while browsing around the FCC I chanced upon
a special page that they have devoted to
AMATEUR RADIO COMPLAINTS (http://www.fcc.gov/eb/AmaCmpl.html) (their
emphasis). On this page it suggested that amateurs should create cassette
tape recordings of alleged FCC rules violations and mail them in to the
bureau.
This led me to wonder, "When should I report violators to the FCC?".
Here's an excerpt from their page:
<blockquote>
Amateur radio complaints should be as specific as possible, citing
dates, times, and frequencies on which alleged violations occurred.
Complaints should also include a name and telephone number where the
complainant can be reached for further details, if necessary.
Complaints should be sent via e-mail to fccham@fcc.gov or by mail to
the address below. Parties are encouraged to send tape recordings in
support of their complaints. Recordings should be mailed to: Federal
Communications Commission, Enforcement Bureau, Amateur Radio, 1270
Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Parties desiring further
information may call: (717) 338-2502.
</blockquote>
A famous biblical passage says "Let he who is without sin cast the first
stone". This is to say that the vast majority of hams have,
at some time or another, broken an FCC rule. It's hard to avoid
it. I've done it. One day
while driving down the highway my microphone accidentally keyed while
my car stereo was playing. There it was: I broke the "no music" rule. In addition,
I once went 12 minutes in a lengthy ragchew before I identified
myself. That too was a mistake, but, it was illegal just the same.
Had Joe Busybody taped me on either occasion, I could have been called
on the carpet by the Feds.
Not that my violations were egregious, but, it does go to show that in
a combative atmosphere almost anybody can get written up. Where do we
draw the line? I ask this because the FCC isn't going to draw it for
us. At what point do rules violations justify reporting them to the
FCC?
Clearly, if someone is creating malicious interference, using bogus
callsigns, abusive profanity (for which contemporary standards are
steadily dropping), or making threats, then most would argue that
sending the tape is warranted.
By the same token, if you hear someone quite accidentally use a single
four letter word, and then immediately apologize for it, should you
report them? Does it depend on the word? How about the time of day?
To protect ourselves, maybe we should install cockpit voice recorders
in our cars so that we can prove that the cassette tape that the FCC
received was digitally altered. After all, anybody with a PC can do
it. You might be talking about taking your prize Shi-Tsu to the dog
show but when a hacker gets done with the recording on their
SoundBlaster equipped PC, guess what word the FCC will hear
on the tape...
Just like with traffic cops, it's probably the case with the FCC's
Enforcement Bureau that some discretion is available to them. Or maybe
not - perhaps they are bound to investigate every alleged violation
once it has be documented. Who knows?
The question remains, "When should I
turn somebody in?".
-fred, AA7BQ
a special page that they have devoted to
AMATEUR RADIO COMPLAINTS (http://www.fcc.gov/eb/AmaCmpl.html) (their
emphasis). On this page it suggested that amateurs should create cassette
tape recordings of alleged FCC rules violations and mail them in to the
bureau.
This led me to wonder, "When should I report violators to the FCC?".
Here's an excerpt from their page:
<blockquote>
Amateur radio complaints should be as specific as possible, citing
dates, times, and frequencies on which alleged violations occurred.
Complaints should also include a name and telephone number where the
complainant can be reached for further details, if necessary.
Complaints should be sent via e-mail to fccham@fcc.gov or by mail to
the address below. Parties are encouraged to send tape recordings in
support of their complaints. Recordings should be mailed to: Federal
Communications Commission, Enforcement Bureau, Amateur Radio, 1270
Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Parties desiring further
information may call: (717) 338-2502.
</blockquote>
A famous biblical passage says "Let he who is without sin cast the first
stone". This is to say that the vast majority of hams have,
at some time or another, broken an FCC rule. It's hard to avoid
it. I've done it. One day
while driving down the highway my microphone accidentally keyed while
my car stereo was playing. There it was: I broke the "no music" rule. In addition,
I once went 12 minutes in a lengthy ragchew before I identified
myself. That too was a mistake, but, it was illegal just the same.
Had Joe Busybody taped me on either occasion, I could have been called
on the carpet by the Feds.
Not that my violations were egregious, but, it does go to show that in
a combative atmosphere almost anybody can get written up. Where do we
draw the line? I ask this because the FCC isn't going to draw it for
us. At what point do rules violations justify reporting them to the
FCC?
Clearly, if someone is creating malicious interference, using bogus
callsigns, abusive profanity (for which contemporary standards are
steadily dropping), or making threats, then most would argue that
sending the tape is warranted.
By the same token, if you hear someone quite accidentally use a single
four letter word, and then immediately apologize for it, should you
report them? Does it depend on the word? How about the time of day?
To protect ourselves, maybe we should install cockpit voice recorders
in our cars so that we can prove that the cassette tape that the FCC
received was digitally altered. After all, anybody with a PC can do
it. You might be talking about taking your prize Shi-Tsu to the dog
show but when a hacker gets done with the recording on their
SoundBlaster equipped PC, guess what word the FCC will hear
on the tape...
Just like with traffic cops, it's probably the case with the FCC's
Enforcement Bureau that some discretion is available to them. Or maybe
not - perhaps they are bound to investigate every alleged violation
once it has be documented. Who knows?
The question remains, "When should I
turn somebody in?".
-fred, AA7BQ