John Bckman - W4BTX HAM RADIO "A PAST TIME FOR A LIFETIME"
I've nver understood it, but you see it often. On YouTube there are tons of videos on "setting up your own FM station." Of course, this is illegal and costly when the FCC finds you - and they WILL find you. The odd part is that a number of these are set up by guys who already have a ham license. If you eant to be a DJ get a job at the local AM station. You might gett a salary of $25K instead of having to sell your house and car to pay that fine to the FCC. Here's a tip - put that FM transmitter on the air at your own peril.
In an FCC Enforcement Bureau case going back to early 2015, a Paterson, New Jersey, Amateur Radio licensee has been penalized in the amount of $25,000.00 for continuing to operate an unlicensed FM radio station. The FCC issued a Forfeiture Order on October 30 to Winston A. Tulloch, KC2ALN, a General-class licensee. The fine followed an April 2018 Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) issued to Tulloch for alleged "willful and repeated violation" of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, by operating an unlicensed FM radio station on 90.9 MHz in Paterson. Tulloch did not respond to the NAL, the FCC indicated.
"Commission action in this area is essential because unlicensed radio stations do not broadcast Emergency Alert Service messages and therefore create a public safety hazard for their listener," the FCC said in the Forfeiture Order. "Moreover, unlicensed radio stations create a danger of interference to licensed communications and undermine the Commission's authority over broadcast radio operations." Following up on February 2015 complaints regarding pirate radio operations in Paterson, FCC agents spotted a signal on 90.9 MHz that "appeared to be an unauthorized radio station." Agents determined the signal was emanating from a multi-family dwelling and noticed an FM antenna on the structure. The measured field strength exceeded the limits allowed for Part 15 unlicensed devices.
Subsequent visits revealed that the station was still in operation, and, at some point, had moved back to its prior location. Additional NOUOs were issued. Finally, on September 15, 2017, two agents returned to Paterson and determined that the station no longer was on the air. The Tulloch case is among dozens that the FCC Enforcement Bureau has initiated in the past couple of years in efforts to shut down pirate broadcasters across the US.
So, if you have $25,000 go ahead and run your illegal FM station. I can see why an uninformed idiot might try such a stunt, but if you are a licensed ham - take my advice - Stick to the ham bands. It's more fun and a helluva lot cheaper!!!
Thank you for dropping by. . Send comments HERE. Until next week 73 and Straight Ahead ->