FCC CITES ALLEGED UNLICENSED HAM BAND USERS

[Andre Kesteloot]

>From the ARRL Bulletin
André N4ICK

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==>FCC CITES ALLEGED UNLICENSED HAM BAND USERS

The FCC has notified several entities -- including two trucking companies
and a balloon festival sponsor -- regarding the alleged use of Amateur Radio
frequencies by unlicensed individuals. Special Counsel in the FCC Spectrum
Enforcement Division Riley Hollingsworth advised all of the parties that
unlicensed use of radio equipment not only can interfere with licensed users
but violates federal law and could lead to fines of up to $10,000.

"Information before the Commission indicates that at the 2005 International
Balloon Fiesta held in Albuquerque, there were numerous balloonists using
Amateur Radio Service and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radio
transmitting equipment without licenses," Hollingsworth wrote Paul Smith,
the event's executive director on August 23. "Both services require a
license from the Commission."

Hollingsworth told Smith that while the FCC encourages all balloonists to
use communication equipment of some kind, he'd like the Balloon Fiesta to
advise those participating in this year's event October 6-15 that unlicensed
operation is illegal. He invited Smith to post the Advisory Notice on the
event's Web site.

The Commission also contacted two trucking firms regarding alleged
unlicensed transmissions from tractor-trailer rigs on 10 meters earlier this
year. Hollingsworth sent a Warning Notice to Cardinal Express of Concord,
North Carolina, on August 28, and Melton Truck Lines of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on
August 30. The FCC cited information indicating that a Cardinal Express rig
on Interstate 85 in North Carolina was the source of radio transmissions on
28.085 MHz on August 2. Hollingsworth told Melton Truck Lines that the FCC
had information that one of its rigs, also on Interstate 85 in North
Carolina, transmitted on 28.085 MHz on June 11.

Hollingsworth warned the trucking firms that, in addition to fines and other
enforcement sanctions, operating transmitting equipment without a license
could land drivers in jail and lead to seizure of radio equipment. He
indicated this week that both trucking firms and their drivers have
contacted him in response to the warning notices and are cooperating with
the FCC.

The FCC sent a third Warning Notice to Parker Contracting of Panama City,
Florida, on August 21 citing allegations that the contractor's employees
have been operating unlicensed radio transmitting equipment on 145.020 MHz
and interfering with licensed users. Hollingsworth said the contractor
promptly contacted the Commission to report it had collected the Amateur
Radio transceivers and was applying for a business license.

On August 18, the FCC wrote Neva Poovey of Newton, North Carolina, citing
information indicating that she or someone in her residence had been
operating radio equipment that caused interference on 10 and 12 meters.
Hollingsworth noted that FCC records did not indicate a license authorizing
transmissions on those bands had been granted to anyone at Poovey's address.
Poovey's husband Michael responded to tell Hollingsworth he was testing "a
huge mobile linear" with another individual in his driveway. A nearby radio
amateur complained to the Commission after hearing the transmissions on the
two amateur bands.

A Technician class licensee in Puerto Rico -- Joaquin Diaz Fontanel, WP3BH,
of Humaco -- was the target of a Warning Notice sent August 28 regarding
alleged operation on 7.080 MHz, a frequency not available to Technician
class operators.

"Such operation may reflect adversely on your qualifications to retain and
Amateur Radio license," Hollingsworth warned.