FCC Cites Amateur Service Rule Violations in Unlicensed Broadcasting Case

An FCC Enforcement Bureau Notice of Unlicensed Operation (NoUO) issued last fall to a California Technician-class licensee for alleged unlicensed FM broadcasting on 95.7 MHz now has been upgraded to a Notice of Violation (NoV) that cites violations of the Part 97 Amateur Service rules. The March 15 NoV sent to Daryl Thomas, KE6MWS, of Carmichael, also specifically acknowledges Thomas as an Amateur Radio licensee — something not done in last November’s NoUO. The FCC Enforcement Bureau warned that it could progress to a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL), “if warranted.”

An FCC Enforcement Bureau agent who monitored transmissions on 95.7 MHz from “Amateur Radio station KE6WMS” in the FM broadcast band on January 31, 2019, observed violations of §97.103 — not operating in accordance with FCC rules; §97.113(b) — prohibited transmissions, i.e., broadcasting, and §97.301 — operation outside frequency bands authorized for Amateur Radio. The FCC ordered Thomas to respond in writing within 20 days, explaining each violation and actions taken to correct them and prevent their recurrence.

Last October 10, an Enforcement Bureau agent responded to a complaint of an unlicensed FM station operating on 95.7 MHz in Carmichael. The agent confirmed by direction-finding techniques that a signal on 95.7 MHz was emanating from a residence, and Thomas subsequently admitted that he was the operator of this station, the FCC said in the NoUO. The agent measured the field strength of the signal and found that it exceeded the maximum permitted level of 250 µV per meter at 3 meters, established for unlicensed operation in accordance with FCC Part 15 rules.

Although the FCC last fall had cautioned Thomas that transmitting without a valid radio station authorization or in violation of the Commission’s RF radiation limits was contrary to federal law and must cease, the transmissions apparently continued into this year.

Source:ARRL

Antenna

The Random Wire Double Zepp Antenna

April 01, 2016 in: Antenna No comments

Dipoles fed with an open wire line are called “Double-Zepp” or “Doublet”. The dipole (2 x Xm) may have any length, the open wire feeder (2 x Ym ), too. You can choose the lengths as your local facilities allow. At th... Read more

JK2040-Hawk – Yagi antenna of 5 elements for the 20 m band and 3 elements for the 40 m band on a 40 foot (12.19 m) boom

September 21, 2018 No comments
Cushcraft MA-5B Yagi Antenna

February 28, 2015 No comments
CHA EMCOMM III Base – 3.5-30 MHz

February 19, 2018 No comments
GB 8elm70cm+6elm 144MHz Quad

September 17, 2015 No comments
10 $ WIFI 16dBi Super Antenna Pictorial

June 11, 2015 No comments
The Buddipole

December 08, 2014 No comments
Feed Point Sealant

March 13, 2016 No comments
Topband: Webinar – Waller Flag RX Antenna 101 – How to Construct a WF

January 28, 2017 No comments
Which is better: Vertical or Dipole?

November 16, 2017 No comments
The New Hy-Gain BOLP-1013 Band Optimised Log Periodic Array by G0KSC

January 26, 2017 No comments

Review

First Look: IC-9700 – Ham Nation 399

April 25, 2019 in: Review No comments

Ray Novak and George Thomas check out the new Icom IC-9700. Hooking up an analog microphone to your computer with Bob, coax connectors with Gordo, ham radio saves lives on Amateur Radio Newsline, Solar upate with Dr. T, a first look at the... Read more