ad: CQMM-1

Recent FCC Enforcement Actions

Discussion in 'Amateur Radio News' started by KN7S, Apr 24, 2014.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
ad: L-HROutlet
ad: l-rl
ad: Left-2
ad: Radclub22-2
ad: L-MFJ
ad: Left-3
ad: abrind-2
  1. KN7S

    KN7S Swapmeet Moderator Emeritus Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    04/24/2014
    The FCC has cited a Woodinville, Washington, resident for operating an “incidental radiator” — apparently some sort of lighting device — that has been causing harmful interference on Amateur Radio frequencies. The Commission has ordered Thomas Edward Rogers to “take steps to eliminate all harmful interference” or risk substantial fines and seizure of equipment. The Enforcement Bureau action came in the wake of repeated complaints last year of interference to Amateur Radio operations. To date, Rogers has not responded to several communications from the Commission.

    “Commission agents have made multiple unsuccessful attempts in writing and via phone calls to contact Mr Rogers regarding unauthorized and unlicensed radio frequency emissions emanating from his property,” the FCC said in a Citation and Order released April 24. The Commission directed Rogers to “cease operation of the incidental radiators immediately, until the interference is resolved.”
    Last year, agents from the Enforcement Bureau’s Seattle Office twice visited Rogers’ neighborhood and confirmed through direction-finding techniques and the use of a spectrum analyzer that “signals on frequencies between 7 and 8 MHz were emanating from Mr Rogers’ residence,” the FCC recounted. The C&O said Rogers failed to reply to an “RFI Letter” and a subsequent Warning Letter, and the interference complaints continued.
    The FCC said Rogers is violating Part 15 rules that prohibit the operation of an unlicensed intentional, unintentional, or incidental radiator that causes harmful interference to a licensed radio service. Rogers was ordered to respond in writing within 30 days stating that he has ceased operating the incidental radiators and tell the Commission what he has done to eliminate all harmful interference. The FCC warned Rogers that he faces “severe penalties, including fines of up to $16,000 per day,” if he fails to take action to resolve the interference issue.
    In March, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler tapped Travis LeBlanc as acting Chief of the Enforcement Bureau, and ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, said the Bureau already appears to have become more responsive.
    “The Seattle Office’s prompt investigation of an amateur’s complaint in May 2013 set the wheels in motion leading to this Citation,” Sumner said. “Today’s announcement provides further evidence that with the recent change in leadership of the Enforcement Bureau, there’s a new sheriff in town.”


    04/22/2014
    A Texas radio amateur has agreed to turn in his Amateur Extra class license as part of an agreement with the FCC to settle an enforcement action against him. The FCC earlier this year issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) to James R. Winstead, KD5OZY, of Coleman, Texas, after determining that Winstead “apparently willfully violated” FCC rules by interfering with Amateur Radio communications. The Commission had proposed a $7000 fine. The action was in response other radio amateurs’ complaints of intentional interference on 7.195 MHz.

    “Mr Winstead has admitted that his actions violated the Commission’s rules and agreed to voluntarily relinquish his amateur license and make a $1000 voluntary contribution to resolve the [Enforcement] Bureau’s investigation,” the FCC said in an Order released April 22. The Order adopted a Consent Decree between the Enforcement Bureau and Winstead that spells out the details of the settlement.
    According to the Consent Decree, Winstead will make his “voluntary contribution” to the US Treasury in 12 installments. He also agreed to relinquish his Amateur Radio license, prior to signing the Consent Decree. Such agreements between the FCC and violators have become more common recently in both Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio cases.


    ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, gave kudos to the Enforcement Bureau “for bringing the matter to a prompt conclusion.”
    Last January 21 an agent from the Commission’s Dallas Office used direction-finding techniques to positively identify the source of interfering transmissions as Winstead’s address. After monitoring the transmissions from the station for about a half-hour, the agent heard Winstead “replay multiple times short sentences or conversations that had just been transmitted, and occasionally speak the word ‘George.’”
    “Mr Winstead replayed recorded conversations so frequently that other licensees were unable to complete their conversations,” the NAL stated. The agent estimated that Winstead disrupted approximately 20 minutes of conversation over a 30 minute period by making up to 15 minutes of short transmissions. The agent subsequently inspected Winstead’s station, observing that his radio equipment was tuned to 7.195 MHz.
    “During the inspection, Mr Winstead showed the agent how he recorded and retransmitted other amateur licensees’ communications,” the FCC said. “He also admitted that he intentionally interfered with amateur communications on 7.195 MHz and had an ongoing disagreement with another amateur licensee named George.”
    The FCC said the evidence in the case was sufficient to establish that Winstead had violated Section 333 of the Communications Act of 1934 and Section 97.101(d) of the FCC Amateur Service rules.
    As part of the Consent Decree, the Enforcement Bureau, “to avoid further expenditure of public resources,” agreed to terminate its investigation and not to use facts developed in its investigation to institute any new proceeding against Winstead “concerning the matters that were the subject of the investigation.”



    http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-cites-...r-causing-interference-on-amateur-frequencies

    http://www.arrl.org/news/texas-radi...ense-as-part-of-enforcement-action-settlement

    Happy Days Are Here Again!

    de KN7S
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2014
  2. NK7Z

    NK7Z Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Yes, happy days are back! I am excited to see what more is to come! Hopefully the FCC will make this a habit! This sort of enforcement action by the FCC can only be good.
     
  3. N2UG

    N2UG Ham Member QRZ Page

    The FCC may have discovered that they can make a lot of money in fines by doing their job.....We have a lot of people out here on the east coast that act just like that guy from Texas, they could make a lot of money out here.
     
  4. N0ZNA

    N0ZNA Ham Member QRZ Page

    Good start,need to go after 14.313 Jerry Springer freq and 7.200 Dr Phill freq and 10mtrs.
     
  5. KD8RWR

    KD8RWR Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Great! Now,... if something can be done with 14.313! -Thom
     
  6. W6EM

    W6EM Ham Member QRZ Page

    A Citation doesn't have any money attached to it. And, the offending incidentally radiating party has also received a Warning Letter. The next step may be a Notice of Apparent Liability (for money).

    However, in the case of the Texas offender, the original NAL was relatively small, by historical perspectives. And, the Consent Decree hardly paid for the Enforcement Bureau's efforts.

    So, where's the big bucks? Apparently, with CBer amplifiers and renegade low-power FM broadcasters.
     
  7. KW0U

    KW0U Ham Member QRZ Page

    Looks like 14.272 or thereabouts is getting some nonsense too. Don't want to go back to what we had a few years ago on .275 with a virtual broadcaster. Hopefully what's going on there will be stopped as well.
     
  8. KA2FIR

    KA2FIR Ham Member QRZ Page

    Let's start fining repeater owners and their cronies in the NYC area for using profanity and condoning the use of it.
     
  9. KB2DX

    KB2DX Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    Anyone can send in Amateur radio complaints, hams and non-hams alike. See http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/AmaCmpl.html

    "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 standard cassette recordings or CDs 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) 338-2577. "

    If we want to see more enforcement actions taken with the new chief of enforcement Travis LeBlanc and the field offices, it's time to send them in.
     
  10. AD0EC

    AD0EC Ham Member QRZ Page

    $7,000 and a loss of his Extra Class license.


    Wow..I doubt the trolling was worth it. Smh @ that ham.
     
  11. WA4OTD

    WA4OTD XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    Now if we could just stop people running with scissors! :)
     
  12. KA2UFP

    KA2UFP Ham Member QRZ Page

    Ka2UFP...How could a OO send cards to operators and not to his friend that never IDs, argues,uses profanity. Weeks ago this person was heard causing malicious interference to a contest. Harassed a net and used language to Lord Our God...The second time, heard harassing the same net and another contest.As of late a certain group has moved to another frequency.You can run but you cant Hide...Frank...
     
  13. K4KWH

    K4KWH Guest

    With regard to the would-be broadcasters, I have never understood why this has become so popular in recent years:confused: . Since before Riley H, these bootleg broadcasters and "alternative news" have cropped by the dozens. Where you never heard of such before, suddenly there were lots of illegal stations transmitting music, news, or political diatribe. FCC now has several each week on their webpage? Where, in your opinion, is this coming from? Ideas?
     
  14. W5YZR

    W5YZR Ham Member QRZ Page

    A good way to stop some of this noise is to restrict the sale of amateur equipment only to License holders.
    This is an old topic but it remains true.

    Thanks...

    Bob...
     
  15. KC9UDX

    KC9UDX Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    And while we're at it, let's make the black market illegal, too.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page

ad: Sussex-1