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General Category => General Radio Discussion => Topic started by: jordan on January 26, 2014, 1913 UTC

Title: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: jordan on January 26, 2014, 1913 UTC
In reference to this FCC page:  http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-322883A1.html

It says that the pirate radio operator has 10 days to respond that he has authorization to operate.  But we all know that he doesn't, so what is he supposed to do in those 10 days, other than shut his transmitter down?

And how did the FCC find out about the station, since there is no station in the area operating on 95.3 MHz?  And how much power was he actually using?
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: BDM on January 26, 2014, 1931 UTC
No idea, but WKQI 95.5 is parked right above that freq. Also that is in my neck of the woods so to say. I never cruise the FM BCB as it is so I haven't heard an FM pirate in some time. Except north of Mt Clemens a year or so back on the car radio.
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: rdla4 on January 26, 2014, 2051 UTC
If he is next to a commercial broadcaster (apparently he was) he was likely turned in by the commercial station.

Depending a several variable issues, the FCC may or may not pursue this any further.

It really depends on if the pirate "tap danced" properly for the FCC, and whether the FCC was in a mood to accept "tap dancing" that day.

Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: redhat on January 26, 2014, 2350 UTC
Based on the number in the report, he was running about 355W ERP.  I personally know a few people who have been busted running far less :)

+-RH
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on January 27, 2014, 0024 UTC
And, don't forget to paint your tower: http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2014/DA-14-68A1.html
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: John Poet on January 27, 2014, 0034 UTC
In reference to this FCC page:  http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-322883A1.html

It says that the pirate radio operator has 10 days to respond that he has authorization to operate.  But we all know that he doesn't, so what is he supposed to do in those 10 days, other than shut his transmitter down?


Basically, there is nothing for the op to do.  Later, when they mail copies of the NOUOs, one by certified/registered mail and one by regular First Class, they should probably refuse to sign for any certified mail from them, as I did.  The only reason they send one certified is to try to document that you received a copy of the NOUO, and why give them that?

After that, one will likely hear nothing further from them-- unless they catch you doing it again.

Even for the FM operations, the FCC's standard operating procedure nowadays is to issue the warning (N.O.U.O.) first.  Their primary interest is to shut such operations down.  Just about all of the "Notice of Apparent Liabilities" (a fine) that I've seen in recent years, note that the operator had been warned at least once previously, and often multiple times, before the FCC got around to trying to issue a fine.  (I say "trying" because "asking ain't getting", as the FCC's very poor fine collection record shows.)

My advice for how to spend the 10 days is, start pulling doxx on the FCC agent in charge.  Their use is limited only by your imagination.    Ha Ha, ha ha.  ;D

Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: BDM on January 27, 2014, 0124 UTC
The place is a church. In fact it's called "Church of the house of my father".
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: Pigmeat on January 27, 2014, 2246 UTC
If you cease operation after a visit you may not even get a NOUO, it depends on the agent, who's complaining, and most importantly you. Don't give out any info, but don't be a dick about it.

There was an obsessed preacher who ran an FM op about an hour away from me. He'd get a visit, swear he'd never do it again, then be back on the air as soon as he could get a new transmitter. It went on for years before the FCC finally shut him down for good, with a huge fine to boot.

I remember seeing his final bust on the local news.  I could see why the FCC went easy on him for so long. He was harmless,confused older guy living in an ancient trailer perched high on a steep hillside.

I often wonder if he was related to our pal, Al.
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: Fansome on January 28, 2014, 0005 UTC
Neither I nor any of my relatives have gotten the knock, as far as I can say.
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: John Poet on January 28, 2014, 0323 UTC
Yeah, but what about the clap, Al?


I heard that's how you run your lights...

Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: atrainradio on January 28, 2014, 1321 UTC
Chris- Don't you think it is very stupid that the FCC makes you paint you'r radio tower a certain color?
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on January 28, 2014, 1329 UTC
Chris- Don't you think it is very stupid that the FCC makes you paint you'r radio tower a certain color?

It's a visual aid - to prevent airplanes from hitting them.
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: diymedia on January 31, 2014, 0216 UTC
Based on the number in the report, he was running about 355W ERP.  I personally know a few people who have been busted running far less :)

What, pray tell, is the mathematical formula for converting microvolts per meter at x meters to ERP?
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: atrainradio on January 31, 2014, 0301 UTC
Chris- Don't you think it is very stupid that the FCC makes you paint you'r radio tower a certain color?

It's a visual aid - to prevent airplanes from hitting them.

True I get that
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: cmradio on January 31, 2014, 0333 UTC
Based on the number in the report, he was running about 355W ERP.  I personally know a few people who have been busted running far less :)

What, pray tell, is the mathematical formula for converting microvolts per meter at x meters to ERP?

Heh, Industry Canada addressed this and it was in a nutshell, you can't.

Reason being is terrain, grounding, frequency of operation, obsticles (even a single cedar tree), transmission line, antenna type and radiation pattern will all play an interactive part.

They did have some rules of thumb in RSS210 documents, but were to be considered as guidelines only (and were nausiatingly conservative)

Peace!
Title: Re: FCC notice of unlicensed operation
Post by: redhat on January 31, 2014, 0826 UTC
ERP = (ed/7.02)^2

e= field strength in uV/M
d= distance in Meters

It is kindof a crap shoot for reasons previously mentioned; you have no idea what the measurement conditions were like.  Plus, who knows how they measured the distance to the antenna.  Generally, field strength is measured in the main lobe of antenna radiation, which would be in line with the transmit antenna.  In many cases, that's simply not possible.

+-RH