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
Venus Technologies SW-3B QRP CW Transceiver Review
Looking at the Venus Technologies SW-3B QRP CW Transceiver for 20/30/40 meters. Dimensions: 104*71*25mm (excluding the protruding part such as kn... Read more
Stellar x2 vs RE20 vs RE27ND Microphone Review
“We compare the Stellar x2 vs RE27 vs RE20 from Electrovoice. I was amazed with this Microphone and as soon as the new Mixer arrives, we’l... Read more
Stay away from cheap coax
A viewer asks about some inexpensive coax they found online. Is it any good? We talk about that and why you may want to stay away from cable that has... Read more
XIEGU G106 – First Look at this New HF Transceiver
XIEGU G106 Xiegu keep themselves pretty busy developing cost effective QRP transceivers. This new model is a replacement for the G1M. Peter G3OJV gets... Read more
Battery Powered Automatic Antenna Tuner, 100 Watt Max, Portable Ham Radio Tuner Review/Demo
“Here is a small $100 portable battery powered ham radio antenna tuner, which deserves a review. I have it connected to my Icom IC-705 but you c... Read more
Equipment
Lido Radio Mounts
Lido mounts are a great way to mount your radio in your mobile. Read more
Barrett 4075 High Power HF Transmitter
The Barrett 4075 high power HF Transmitter is a compact rack mounted communications solution developed for base station applications in large HF netwo... Read more
THE NEW HEIL HAM RADIO!
“First, we would like to thank you for your continued support of our company and products. As Heil Sound Communications continues to grow we wan... Read more
Introducing SDRconnect – SDRplay Hamvention 2022 demo
This video shows the demo we are showing this weekend (May 20-22) at Hamvention in Dayton, Ohio. This demonstrates the core underlying technology behi... Read more
ACOM 2020S | Solid-State 1.8-54 MHz Linear Amplifier
ACOM 2020S | Solid-State 1.8-54 MHz Linear Amplifier Easy to operateThe overall operation of ACOM 2020S is extremely simplified: the touch screen menu... Read more
VHF
Icom IC-T10 Rugged Dual Band HT @ HamVention
Icom IC-T10 Rugged Dual Band HT This New VHF/UHF HT from Icom features a Very Rugged Design, 1500 mW of loud, clear speaker audio, 2400 mAH battery, I... Read more
Icom VE-SP1 LTE/PoC Radio Desktop Conference Microphone
A short video about the Icom VE-SP1 desktop conference speaker microphone which enables a simultaneous voice conference in multiple locations by combi... Read more
Iridium Command Center Explanation – ICOM
Icom’s satellite radios utilize Iridium’s constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites. With this network, you can set up to 2,250,000 square kilometer... Read more
ICOM IC-T10 – Released April 2022. What are its Main Features
A first look at the new Icom IC-T10. Dual Band Transceiver ICOM IC-10 PDF File https://icomuk.co.uk/files/icom/PDF/newsFile/IC-T10_A4.pdf Read more
Icom ID-52 Quick Look And Highlights
My newest radio is the new ID-52 by Icom. I have had this a bit over a month and finally starting making videos on it, just to show you why I think th... Read more
Antenna
Inflatable Satellite Antenna
Inflatable Satellite Antenna GATR 2.4m Inflatable Ku & C Band Satellite Antenna VSAT Satcom Deployable Up for auction is an GATR 2.4m inflatable a... Read more
You are using the WRONG toroid for an EFHW Antenna, Maybe!
Did you know, not all Toroids are created the same? They may look the same, but there is one big difference! UPDATE: I’m sorry, in the video I w... Read more
7 BAND HF COBWEB ANTENNA – 1 KW
COBWEB ANTENNA Multiband cobweb antenna works on 7 HF bands and up to 1000w. Bands are 14,18,21,24,28,50,70 MHz Built and modified by me for my friend... Read more
DIAMOND HF MOBILE “CL” SERIES ANTENNAS
The Diamond HF Mobile “CL” Series Antennas are a bit special. Centre Loafing is claomed to be superior to base loafing. Peter G3OJV, tests... Read more
Diamond D3000N Super Discone Ultra-Wideband Antenna
“In this video we cover the assembly, installation and testing of the 3000N Discone for use on an SDR and home scanner.” Ultra-wideband de... Read more
