“Broadcasters would likely call it money well-spent, but it’s still cash coming from the federal government’s hands. The Federal Communications Commission estimates it will cost the agency at least $11 million to enforce the newly-adopted law that requires it to step up pirate radio enforcement. “Specifically, in order to combat the problem of illegal radio operations, the statute requires a sweeping process that will require new equipment and a substantial number of additional field agents to implement fully,” FCC Chair Ajit Pai told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee during a hearing on Tuesday. Pai said he hoped congressional budget writers would determine a “reasonable funding level” for the FCC that reflects that added cost, suggesting the agency’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year should be raised to $354 million.
Signed into law by President Trump last month, the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act, or “PIRATE” Act (S.1228) was unanimously approved by both the Senate and House. The new law raises fines on unlicensed station operators to $100,000 per day per violation, up to a maximum of $2 million. In addition to tougher fines on violators, the FCC would also be required to conduct sweeps in the five cities where pirate radio is the biggest problem”
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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
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
News
WRTC 2023 AWARD : January 2023…headset on!
WRTC Organizing Committee is proud to announce a 2023 edition of WRTC 2023 AWARD! This is NOT WRTC 2022 Contest that will be held in Bologna in July 2... Read more
Dayton Hamvention Announces Theme for 2023
Dayton Hamvention® 2023 is just over 6 months away, and next year’s Hamvention team has selected “Innovation!” as the event theme. T... Read more
The 2023 ARRL Calendar
Keep track of your important dates, ARRL contests, and holidays with a 2023 ARRL Calendar. This year’s calendar features Collegiate Amateur Radi... Read more
The Secret Government Radio Signals I Heard Today!
The Secret Government Radio Signals Read more
Radio Amateurs Support the Great ShakeOut 2022 in Puerto Rico
Students from the Crop Protection Student Association at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez participated in a communications practice session a... Read more
Digital Modes
FT8 Waterfall Ham Radio Pull-Over Hoodie
When you want to tell people you’re into FT8 without telling them you’re into FT8 Warm, comfortable and soft, this hoodie is a perfect cho... Read more
Getting Audio Sorted Out for FT8
Kevin, KF0IPD, Is having problems with his audio. He is wondering if their is a setting on the 7300 that powers down the sound card inside the radio w... Read more
VarAC – HF/FM Digital Chat Reinvented
VarAC What is VarAC? VarAC is a FREE, modern HF P2P real-time chatting application for the amateur radio operator that leverages the gloriou... Read more
The Ultimate Portable Ham Radio Computer
Hello Operators. In this episode of the OH8STN ham radio, we are discussing replacing the raspberry pi field computer build, with the Microsoft Surfac... Read more
Get Started with FT8 – An Introduction for Beginners
FT8 is a mode in the WSJT-X software developed by Dr Joe Taylor K1JT. In this video I show how to get started and make contacts with FT8, introduction... Read more
