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General Category => General Radio Discussion => Topic started by: John Poet on September 27, 2015, 1234 UTC

Title: FCC commish O’Rielly Puts Forth a 'Pirate Radio Policy Draft'
Post by: John Poet on September 27, 2015, 1234 UTC

FCC commish O’Rielly Puts Forth a 'Pirate Radio Policy Draft'

WASHINGTON—Commissioner Michael O’Rielly wants to keep the issue of pirate radio on the front burner at the FCC, so he has put forth his own draft of a “pirate radio policy and enforcement statement.”

The commissioner said that when the FCC decided to cut back field agents and offices, “assurances were made that a sleeker, streamlined Enforcement Bureau would be able to perform all of its duties with even greater efficiency.” When further concerns were raised, he wrote, “new language was even added to the eventual order promising a revitalized enforcement effort against illegal broadcasters via development of a ‘comprehensive policy and enforcement approach.’”

O’Rielly said he asked the Enforcement Bureau chief whether this could be done by the end of the summer, “but no timetable was provided in our friendly exchange. To my knowledge, nothing further has emerged since the adoption of the field reorganization order.”

So O’Rielly, who has spoken several times this year about the pirate radio problem, has written his own draft, “in the interest of furthering the discussion and getting the ball rolling on our unanimously-approved promise of a policy and enforcement approach for pirate radio.” The text is below. He emphasized that it’s just a starting point but said, “Given the stakes, this issue shouldn’t wait any longer.”


The text:
The commission reiterates our firm position, as articulated in the Communications Act and Commission rules, that unauthorized broadcast operations within the FM and AM radio broadcast bands — often referred to as pirate radio broadcasting — is strictly prohibited and subject to enforcement measures. Violations are not to be taken lightly, as the harmful interference caused by pirate operations sabotages licensed broadcasters serving their communities and puts the valuable public safety contributions of these stations in jeopardy to the detriment of the American people who count on them, including diverse and underserved populations.

 Further, the Commission makes clear that it intends to enact a vigorous campaign of enforcement activities to disrupt and permanently terminate all pirate radio stations that are in operation today and prevent those that may attempt to come online in the future. We will collaborate with federal and state law enforcement authorities, as needed, to enhance and complement our enforcement operations. Our effort will include an education component for those entities that may knowingly or unknowingly assist pirate radio operations in any capacity, including building owners and managers, national and local campaigns for political office, media advertisers, radio programming suppliers, concert promoters and venue operators, and equipment manufacturers and importers. All interested parties should be on notice that facilitating pirate radio broadcasting will not be tolerated, and may be subject to enforcement or legal actions, as permitted under law. Accordingly, we seek full cooperation by anyone who may have relevant information to help identify, locate, and take action against the operators and owners of pirate radio stations.

http://www.radioworld.com/article/o%E2%80%99rielly-puts-forth-a-pirate-radio-policy-draft/277168

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Maybe they should put all known and previously cited operators on "double-secret probation" ?

Title: Re: FCC commish O’Rielly Puts Forth a 'Pirate Radio Policy Draft'
Post by: John Poet on September 27, 2015, 1236 UTC

 O’Rielly keeps running his yap like that, and that's IT:

He'll be OFF my Christmas card list !

I'm not even kidding, neither.

Title: Re: FCC commish O’Rielly Puts Forth a 'Pirate Radio Policy Draft'
Post by: atrainradio on September 27, 2015, 1402 UTC

Seeing as how I am not exactly part 15, it should come as no surprise that I hate this guy. But they don't have the budget to sustain O'reily, so he's just running his yap to scare us. Well f*** him- I hope he gets coal for Christmas.

Title: Re: FCC commish O’Rielly Puts Forth a 'Pirate Radio Policy Draft'
Post by: John Poet on September 27, 2015, 1520 UTC

A "flash poll" has now determined, that before new pirate stations take to the airwaves, they always check to see whether the F.C.C. has issued a "policy statement" against it....


 ;D

Title: Re: FCC commish O’Rielly Puts Forth a 'Pirate Radio Policy Draft'
Post by: skeezix on September 27, 2015, 2013 UTC

Quote

The commission reiterates our firm position, ... , that unauthorized broadcast operations within the FM and AM radio broadcast bands — often referred to as pirate radio broadcasting — is strictly prohibited and subject to enforcement measures

Mentions specifically within the FM & AM bands.

So that means SW is of less concern, as well as 87.9 nor 1710 since they're not within the FM nor AM bands. √

Quote

prevent those that may attempt to come online in the future

PreCrime? Until the transmitter is radiating beyond established limits, its not illegal. If I have a 1kW transmitter into a dummy load which has radiation under Part 15 limits, there's nothing illegal about that.

Quote

who has spoken several times this year about the pirate radio problem

What about the RFI pollution problem from zillions of cheap electronics that are not meeting existing regulatory standards? That is a far bigger threat to radio than pirate stations. Yet, nothing is done. In 2001 when I moved into my house, bands were very quiet. Today, its a mess LW through SW. Had to move a MW antenna from my porch to a tree out back because noise in the power lines is swamping the band. And its still not clean, just better than what it was. My nice loop that's waaay out back in the shed now picks up lots of RFI from somewhere, even though not much back there.

Quote

Violations are not to be taken lightly, as the harmful interference caused by pirate operations sabotages licensed broadcasters serving their communities and puts the valuable public safety contributions of these stations in jeopardy to the detriment of the American people who count on them, including diverse and underserved populations.

Does that include the interference from the IBOC digital sidebands to adjacent channels?


Meh.


John, he's off your Christmas card list, but if he sends a reception report, will you send him a QSL card?

Title: Re: FCC commish O’Rielly Puts Forth a 'Pirate Radio Policy Draft'
Post by: John Poet on September 27, 2015, 2327 UTC

They already sent me a reception report, but don't seem to know how to write a proper one.  It was entirely lacking in times or program details....
("Notice of Unlicensed Operation", 2011)

Nah, they won't get a QSL.  They'll get DOXXED.

Title: Re: FCC commish O’Rielly Puts Forth a 'Pirate Radio Policy Draft'
Post by: Skipmuck on October 03, 2015, 0126 UTC

This guy seems to be taking his policy on the campaign trail.

Remarks of Michael O’Rielly, Federal Communications Commission
2015 Radio Show Panel “FCC Experts Talk Radio”
October 1, 2015

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db1001/DOC-335658A1.pdf

Title: Re: FCC commish O’Rielly Puts Forth a 'Pirate Radio Policy Draft'
Post by: John Poet on October 04, 2015, 1637 UTC

"Far from being cute, harmless, or even somehow useful, pirate radio represents an attack on the
integrity of our airwaves."

Here, let me fix that...

"Far from being cute, harmless, or even somehow useful, Michael O'Rielly represents an attack on the
integrity of our airwaves."

There. Much better.