FCC LAUNCHES REVIEW OF LA AREA REPEATER

From the ARRL...



The FCC has launched a review into the operation of the W6NUT repeater in the Los Angeles area. The repeater, which has attracted a following of what some observers call "nontraditional" amateur users, also was said to have been radio home of Richard Burton, ex-WB6JAC, sentenced earlier this year to prison for unlicensed operation.





"We've gotten more complaints about that repeater than any other repeater in
the country, FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley
Hollingsworth said of the W6NUT machine, which operates on 147.435 MHz. "If
there's a control operator, we sure haven't seen any evidence of it."



Hollingsworth wrote the repeater's trustee, Kathryn Tucker, AA6TK, and two
W6NUT users regarding lengthy broadcasts made over the repeater in early
February. Hollingsworth told Tucker that the FCC has received complaints
that control operators and the repeater licensee "fail to address long
periods of jamming by users, broadcasting, music playing as well as a
plethora of other violations."



He cited one transmission of more than two hours on the evening of February
1-2 that included music and commentaries on many of the songs. A similar
lengthy broadcast aired over W6NUT a few evenings later, he said. Both
transmissions repeatedly timed out the repeater, Hollingsworth said, and
there was no evidence that a control operator was present at any time.



In separate letters to Technician licensees Ted R. Sorensen III, KC6PQW, and
Gregory S. Cook, KC6USO, Hollingsworth cited monitoring information alleging
that Sorenson actually transmitted both broadcasts. On the first occasion,
on February 1-2, Sorenson is said to have acted in concert with Cook, who
was hooked in via phone patch. The second similar transmission February 4-5
was said to have featured only Cook, again via phone patch to Sorenson's
transmitter, Hollingsworth said.



Citing Sec 308(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, Hollingsworth requested
that all three licensees respond to the allegations within 20 days. In
addition, Hollingsworth asked Tucker to furnish specific details about the
W6NUT repeater system, including names of control operators on duty on the
two evenings in question.



Cook's license is due to expire May 7, 2001. Hollingsworth advised Cook that
his renewal application would "not be routinely granted unless these issues
are resolved" and that his renewal application could wind up being
designated for hearing.