In an enforcement case prompted by complaints filed in 2017, the FCC has imposed an $18,000 forfeiture on Jerry W. Materne, KC5CSG, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, for intentional interference and failure to identify. The FCC had proposed the fine in a Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL) in the case in July 2018, and, based on Materne’s response to the NAL, the agency affirmed the fine in a March 12 Forfeiture Order (FO).
As the FCC recounted in the FO, an FCC agent “observed Materne causing intentional interference to a local repeater by generating digital noise into an analog radio.” The agent further reported that Materne failed to transmit his call sign, as required.
Materne disputed the FCC’s findings, arguing that the NAL should be canceled because the agent “was mistaken in his determination that the source of the interference was Materne’s station” as his radio was not capable of operating on the repeater frequency in question, the FCC said in the NO. Materne also asserted that he is unable to pay the fine and suggested in his response that the FCC should be able to access his financial information.
The FCC countered that the radio the agent observed in Materne’s possession was capable of operating on the frequency in question. “We therefore are unpersuaded…that the proposed forfeiture should be cancelled because, he alleges, he was not the party causing interference to the repeater and the radio in his possession could not operate on the frequency in question,” the FCC said in affirming the findings of the NAL. “We are also unpersuaded by Materne’s argument that he lacks the ability to pay the full $18,000 forfeiture.” The FCC said Materne failed to provide the FCC with proof of inability to pay, as required by the NAL.
The FCC gave Materne 30 days to pay the fine, or face having the case turned over to the US Department of Justice for enforcement.
Source:ARRL
Review
Moonraker FIRESPOT MMDVM Hotspot
Here we take a look at the Moonraker Firespot. An MMDVM Digital Hotspot that uses an Orange Pi in replacement for the hard to get hold of, Raspberry P... Read more
SWR Meter – Internal Vs External
Eddy, K6SDW, is trying to find out which SWR meter he sould us. He wants to know which SWR meter should he use to tune the antenna circuit, the built-... Read more
What secrets is it hiding? FX-4C
HF SDR Transceiver 10W Amateur Radio AM FM CW SSB FX-4C Read more
Icom IC-705 Custom Made Portable Go-Case, by Ralph. QRP Day In Vero Beach!
Check out this custom solution for Ralph’s Icom IC-705 Read more
Icom IC7300 vs Yaesu FT991a
I’m breaking it down this time, One of the all time most asked questions I get, Should you buy the Icom or the Yaesu? Do looks matter? Read more
Equipment
Using A Uniden Wireless Mic For ICOM Radios??
Would you like a wireless mic option for your ICOM radios? Well, there is a way to do it with a Uniden CB mic. And it’s kind of neat! Read more
ACOM 2020S | Solid-State 1.8-54 MHz Linear Amplifier
The ACOM 2020S is a state-of-the art 1500 W heavy-duty, solid-state linear amplifier, covering all amateur bands from 1.8 to 54 MHz. It features a Rem... Read more
SPECTRAN V6 X
Aaronia presents the SPECTRAN® V6 X: the world’s first and only 8 GHz USB spectrum analyzer with dual USB true I/Q streaming of up to 245 MHz (v... Read more
WiMo Antennen und Elektronik GmbH (WiMo) will be the exclusive distributor for the complete 4O3A product
Effective October 1st 2022 WiMo Antennen und Elektronik GmbH (WiMo) will be the exclusive distributor for the complete 4O3A product family, including... Read more
What’s a CTR2-Mini?
In the beginning was CTR The Mini and Mini+ are the third generation of radio controllers that I’ve designed and built. CTR stands for Control The Rad... Read more
VHF
ISS Crossband Repeater Ham Radio Contacts!
How hard is it to make contacts over the ISS Crossband repeater? Thanks to Robert W5ITR https://www.qrz.com/db/W5ITR for demonstrating his very nice r... Read more
ABBREE AR-F8 6 BAND HANDHELD
Here we take a look at the ABBREE AR-F8 handheld transceiver. Does this really do 20 Watts? I think we know that answer already..! Read more
The IC-905 Debut! Ham Expo Walkthrough
The IC-905 Debut! Ham Expo Walkthrough Aim higher and enter the world of SHF. The IC-905 is an industry-first all-mode transceiver with 144/440/1... Read more
Most Expensive Handhelds TESTED!
We’re back at the park to test the most expensive ham radio handheld radios available today. Which radio will have the strongest transmit signal... Read more
Activity and Awards Increase at 222 and 1296 MHz
Interest in ARRL VHF and above Worked All States Awards (WAS) continues its flurry of activity, now on the 1296 MHz band. As we reported in... Read more
Antenna
Pacificon – SteppIR Antenna
SteppIR Antenna This is another video from Pacificon 2022. I will interviewing another vender. John Mertel, WA7IR, for SteppIR. Watch to learn more. Read more
I Love It! Game Changing Wolf River Sporty Forty Coil review
The Wolf River Sporty Forty is a single band base loaded coil for 40 meter operation using the Wolf River 213 inch, Chameleon CHA SS-17, or MFJ-1979 w... Read more
PT-GP1 Multiband HF Vertical Portable Antenna
Here we take a look at and test the PT-GP1 HF Multiband Antenna. This can be used either portable, on hikes, sota, pota or even as a semi-permanent ho... Read more
Top 7 PORTABLE Ham Radio Antennas on Amazon
My current top 7 choices for portable antennas on Amazon. As an Amazon affiliate, I can earn commissions from qualifying items. Read more
Single Tip – How to Tune Dipole, Vertical or Loop
Keeping track of changes when you are tuning ANY antenna is critical. Don’t rely on your memory for what you did, write it down. Read more
