The FCC has settled an investigation into an alleged unauthorized launch and operation of small satellites by Swarm Technologies. The company agreed to a Consent Decree that included a $900,000 penalty, an extended period of FCC oversight, and a requirement of pre-launch notices to the FCC, among other stipulations.
“We will aggressively enforce the FCC’s requirements that companies seek FCC authorization prior to deploying and operating communications satellites and earth stations,” FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Rosemary Harold said. “These important obligations protect other operators against radio interference and collisions, making space a safer place to operate.”
In April 2017, Swarm applied for an Experimental license to deploy and operate two Earth stations and four tiny 0.25 U CubeSats called SpaceBEEs. The FCC denied Swarm’s application in December 2017 over concerns about the ability to track the satellites. Swarm nevertheless launched the satellites on January 12, 2018, on a vehicle that also carried an Amateur Radio satellite into space. After reports of the unauthorized SpaceBEEs launch surfaced, the FCC launched an investigation last March.
The FCC determined that Swarm had launched the four SpaceBEEs from India and had unlawfully transmitted signals between Earth stations in Georgia and the satellites for more than a week. In addition, the FCC discovered that Swarm had also performed unauthorized weather balloon-to-ground station tests and other unauthorized equipment tests prior to the launch. All these activities required FCC authorization.
The December resolution requires Swarm to pay a penalty $900,000 to the US Treasury and to submit pre-launch reports to the FCC for the next 3 years. The FCC said Swarm has committed to a strict compliance plan to prevent future FCC rule violations.
The FCC issued an Enforcement Advisory last April to remind satellite operators that they must obtain FCC authorization for space station and Earth station operations. The advisory cautioned satellite operators and launch companies against proceeding with launch arrangements following a license denial or prior to receiving an FCC authorization.
Source:ARRL
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 knob) Weight: 180g. Operating voltage: 8-15VDC. Operating current: receiving: abou... Read more
VHF
A short video about the Icom VE-SP1 desktop conference speaker microphone which enables a simultaneous voice conference in multiple locations by combining communication with Icom LTE/PoC radios. VE-SP1 Desktop Conference Speaker Icom has in... Read more
Antenna
Comet mobile antenna of 430MHz band – ASF-430
Comet is the 19th Kansai first exhibition was of the amateur radio festival venue, fin-type mobile antenna · ASF-430 of 430MHz band. Adopted wa... Read more
Super Broad Band Stainless Steel Ham Antenna
Extremely Versatile, Highly Efficient, UV rated and Very Lite With Almost No Wind Load. With 18 Stainless wires 2″ inches wide for 10-20-40-80 m... Read more
J-POLE REVOLUTION: KB9VBR ANTENNAS
J-POLE When Michael Martens, callsign KB9VBR, set out to make his first J-pole in 2001, his drive was purely utilitarian–the local ham club was settin... Read more
Yagi Ultrabeam 6-10-12-15-17-20-30 and 40M UB640 – VL1-3
UB640 – VL1-3 Frequency range : 7 – 50 Mhz (50 Mhz it requires kit optional) 3 elements yagi : 6-10-12-15-17-20 meters 1 elements... Read more
W8AMZ 80-6m OCF Dipole / Windom Multi-Band Antenna w/ 4:1 Balun
Introducing the W8AMZ 80–6m OCF / Windom Multi-Band Antenna using a 4:1 Balun and rated for 2 KW. The SWR is generally below 1.5:1 on 6, 10, 20, 40... Read more