How about some up-to-date fears?
** ENFORCEMENT: CB AMP SALE BRINGS $7000 FINE A North Jackson, Ohio
equipment retailer has been dinged with a heavy fine. This for allegedly
selling those illegal 11 meter amplifiers that the C-B crowd calls
footwarmers. The noted violations involve Paladen Communications sale of
external Citizens Band radio frequency power amplifiers. In it's October
21st Forfeiture Order the FCC alleges that Paladen, which does business as
the CB Shop, did willfully and repeatedly violate Section 302(b) of the
Communications Act of 1934 and Sections 2.815(b) and 2.815(c) of the
Commission's Rules by making these units available to the general public.
Paladen was issued the $7,000 fine back on May 27th. The FCC says the
company never responded to the notice. Its now been given 30 days to pay or
face collection proceedings. (FCC) ** ENFORCEMENT: CB OPERATOR FINED $10,000
FOR UNLICENSED OPERATION And using an illegal C-B amplifier will cost a
Washington state operator some really big bucks. This as the FCC fines
Robert A. Spiry of Tacoma 10,000 for what the FCC say was operating a radio
station without Commission authorization. Amateur Radio Newsline's Norm
Seeley, KI7UP, has the details: -- In its letter to Robert A. Spiry, the FCC
claims that it found the amplifier as part of a follow-up investigation.
This, after receiving numerous complaints from Spiry's neighbors. On March
13th, April 2nd, October 29th and November 5th of 2002, agents from the
Commission's Seattle, Washington Field Office concluded that the
interference resulted from 11 meter transmissions originating from Spiry's
residence and from his mobile station in his vehicle. During station
inspections conducted on April 2nd and November 5th, 2002, the Seattle
Office agents determined that Spiry was operating transmitters that were not
FCC certified and that he was operating with a linear amplifier attached to
his CB radio transmitter. Spiry was advised that his use of unauthorized and
non- certified equipment voided his blanket authority to operate his CB
station. Nevertheless, the FCC says that he continued to operate the
unauthorized equipment at the expense of his blanket authorization to
operate his CB radio station. On December 30th, 2002, the Seattle Office
issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Monetary Forfeiture in the amount
of $10,000 to Spiry. In other words, a $10,000 fine. In his January 15, 2003
response Spiry did not dispute the facts that lead to the fine. Instead he
stated that he had ceased CB radio transmissions and had obtained an amateur
radio license. The FCC database lists him as holding a Technician class
license with the call sign KD7TRB. He also claimed to have removed his CB
radio antenna and asserted that he was unaware that the amount of the
forfeiture could be so high. He told the FCC that he was unable to pay that
amount. But in affirming the fine the FCC refers Spiry to Section 301 of the
Communications Act. It says that no person shall use or operate any
apparatus for the transmission of energy or communications or signals by
radio within the United States without a proper license. The FCC says that
Spiry's 2002 operation of his CB radio station with transmitters that were
not FCC certified and use of a linear amplifier constitutes repeated
violations. It also notes that his taking down the C-B antenna and getting a
ham radio ticket are not sufficient actions to negate the punishment for the
original offenses. The FCC says that Robert Spiry has not provided it with
adequate financial information from which to determine his ability to pay
the forfeiture. Based on this lack of information cancellation or reduction
of the $10,000 fine is not warranted and that it stands as is.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Norm Seeley, KI7UP, Scottsdale, Arizona. --
Spiry was given the usual 30 days to pay. If he fails to do so the FCC says
that the matter may be turned over to the Department of Justice for further
action. (FCC)
(Reckon he got his license hoping to avoid prosecution?)
NOT!!!
J