FCC Fines Florida Man $20,000 for VHF Marine Band Radio Interference

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  FCC Fines Florida Man $20,000 for VHF Marine Band Radio Interference

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Author Topic:   FCC Fines Florida Man $20,000 for VHF Marine Band Radio Interference

jimh posted 02-10-2011 01:12 AM ET (US)
The Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), acting on complaints from the U.S. Coast Guard, investigated interference to VHF Marine Band Radio Channel 16 in the Melbourne, Florida area, which was being transmitted from an unlicensed radio in a vehicle on land. The operator of the radio was fined $20,000. See
http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0208/ DA-11-232A1.pdf
In areas where the U.S. Coast Guard radio watch facility has been upgraded to the RESCUE21 equipment, radio direction finding is automatic and nearly instantaneous, producing a range and bearing to the transmitter location of most transmissions monitored by the USCG in the VHF Marine Band. The FCC Enforcement Bureau located and tracked the vehicle, and observed the operator making illegal transmission from his car.
home Aside posted 02-10-2011 04:08 AM ET (US)
ouch....Serves his right, I just wonder who the hell was this guy talking to all this time?
Pat
hauptjm posted 02-10-2011 02:41 PM ET (US)
What an idiot! If he would have stayed off of Channel 16, he probably would have never heard from anyone. I'm amazed at the conversations I hear on VHF around my geography. I've heard recipes, shopping list, gossip, etc. All sorts of bizarre conversations. It seems to be the same type of person that holds a private cellular phone conversation in the elevator.
As an aside: I have a friend that answers people that talk on their cell phones in elevators/public. If they ask a question or make a statement to the person they're talking to, he responds accordingly. When they respond rudely to him (almost always), he simply states that he thought they were talking to him! It's quite humorous, but doesn't change their moronic behaviors.
contender posted 02-10-2011 04:14 PM ET (US)
Yes, this person is an idiot.... Does not have a full deck
Question: I understand about only using Channel 16 for distress, but what is/was wrong for using the other channels listed 71, 81, 82, 84, 85, 87, and 88?
Tom Hemphill posted 02-11-2011 05:11 PM ET (US)
He may have thought it was CB radio.
Contender: He was operating on land without a license to do so.
Liteamorn posted 02-16-2011 02:35 PM ET (US)
I remember many years ago a fellow would clog channel 68 in the Raritan Bay area every night with some [broadcast transmission]. Most of us just turned off our radios but eventually he got busted. I don't know what happened to him but we never had to hear [his broadcast transmissions] again.
jimh posted 02-16-2011 08:05 PM ET (US)
Even though the FCC notified the offender he was liable for a forfeiture, that does not mean they've collected the money. The offender can file an appeal or become a scofflaw.

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Author	Topic: FCC Fines Florida Man $20,000 for VHF Marine Band Radio Interference
jimh	posted 02-10-2011 01:12 AM ET (US) The Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), acting on complaints from the U.S. Coast Guard, investigated interference to VHF Marine Band Radio Channel 16 in the Melbourne, Florida area, which was being transmitted from an unlicensed radio in a vehicle on land. The operator of the radio was fined $20,000. See http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0208/ DA-11-232A1.pdf In areas where the U.S. Coast Guard radio watch facility has been upgraded to the RESCUE21 equipment, radio direction finding is automatic and nearly instantaneous, producing a range and bearing to the transmitter location of most transmissions monitored by the USCG in the VHF Marine Band. The FCC Enforcement Bureau located and tracked the vehicle, and observed the operator making illegal transmission from his car.
home Aside	posted 02-10-2011 04:08 AM ET (US) ouch....Serves his right, I just wonder who the hell was this guy talking to all this time? Pat
hauptjm	posted 02-10-2011 02:41 PM ET (US) What an idiot! If he would have stayed off of Channel 16, he probably would have never heard from anyone. I'm amazed at the conversations I hear on VHF around my geography. I've heard recipes, shopping list, gossip, etc. All sorts of bizarre conversations. It seems to be the same type of person that holds a private cellular phone conversation in the elevator. As an aside: I have a friend that answers people that talk on their cell phones in elevators/public. If they ask a question or make a statement to the person they're talking to, he responds accordingly. When they respond rudely to him (almost always), he simply states that he thought they were talking to him! It's quite humorous, but doesn't change their moronic behaviors.
contender	posted 02-10-2011 04:14 PM ET (US) Yes, this person is an idiot.... Does not have a full deck Question: I understand about only using Channel 16 for distress, but what is/was wrong for using the other channels listed 71, 81, 82, 84, 85, 87, and 88?
Tom Hemphill	posted 02-11-2011 05:11 PM ET (US) He may have thought it was CB radio. Contender: He was operating on land without a license to do so.
Liteamorn	posted 02-16-2011 02:35 PM ET (US) I remember many years ago a fellow would clog channel 68 in the Raritan Bay area every night with some [broadcast transmission]. Most of us just turned off our radios but eventually he got busted. I don't know what happened to him but we never had to hear [his broadcast transmissions] again.
jimh	posted 02-16-2011 08:05 PM ET (US) Even though the FCC notified the offender he was liable for a forfeiture, that does not mean they've collected the money. The offender can file an appeal or become a scofflaw.