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FCC wants to fine Idaho man $34K for interfering in radio transmissions during wildfire
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mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
This should be a sticky for all the hams who think that hacking their amateur radios to talk on public safety frequencies is OK, even if it's to "help".
Not only does he need a $34,000 fine, he needs to have all his radios and other licenses taken away, and preferably castrated so he cannot procreate.
Ham radio, when all else fails, we'll get in the way.
Not only does he need a $34,000 fine, he needs to have all his radios and other licenses taken away, and preferably castrated so he cannot procreate.
Ham radio, when all else fails, we'll get in the way.
He should have been wearing his hi-viz "Communications" vest, then it would have been ok.
ind224
Member
Interesting. It seems that the FCC has taken the position that even if an emergency where to have been occurring and I thought there was specifically an "emergency clause" that no transmission SHALL be made.
Any details of what he actually said? The Statesman, like most media being lacking is not surprising.
Any details of what he actually said? The Statesman, like most media being lacking is not surprising.
nd5y
Member
There is no "emergency clause" that allows operation of an amateur station on non-amateur frequencies.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
FCC Proposes Fine for Interrupting Communications During Wildfire
FCC proposes $34,000 fine against licensee of amateur radio station for apparently interfering with radio communications that were guiding fire suppression aircraft combating the 2021 "Johnson Fire" near Elk River, Idaho
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It does not matter what was said unless he was a team member he is risking the lives of team members and deserves what he gets.
celestis
Member
Some clubs around me have sold that delusion hard to the local hospital, one particular hospital with a nice rooftop on land reasonably higher than the rest of the town
When I went to ask their engineering director if they were wiling to allow me to colocate a GMRS repeater there, and that I was willing to pay rent (the hams get their space gratis), they told me they "didn't see the value" in it because the ham repeaters there were for "emergency communications"
6 machines that are unused most of the time, purportedly for emergencies... keep telling yourself that, I guess
Tank full of water from a Forestry DC-10 from low altitude would have helped him wash that down.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Direct from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel:
"You can’t interfere with public safety communications. Full stop. So today we propose the largest fine of its type for this interference that put fire suppression and public safety itself at risk."
Looking at his QRZ webpage under his callsign WA7CQ he really should have know better, since he has been a ham from 13 years old. Also says he works in 2 way radio and cellular and operates repeaters both ham and business.
He is the ham radio club president. They
need to remove him from office.
He is the ham radio club president. They
need to remove him from office.
Agreed. Just goes to show you, that just because you have been doing something for a long time, doesn't mean you have learned all you need (or can) learn.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
And the dofus is a VE in Idaho, so no doubt spreading this stuff to others.
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This clarification has been long coming and now it was answered very clearly.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
We had some big forest fires up my way back in 2020. One of the big issues they ran into was local idiots with baofengs doing this exact thing, to try to "help". It was a big enough deal that the county run radio shop decided to accelerate their move to encryption.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
They'll still argue it.
The way I read the article, he was not in distress and interfering with authorized radio frequencies / communications.
47 CFR Subpart E - Providing Emergency Communications
97.403 Safety of Life and Protection of Property says: No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radio communication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.
97.405 Station in Distress, (a) No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its condition and location, and obtain assistance. (b) No provision of these rules prevents the use by a station, in the exceptional circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this section, of any means of radio communications at its disposal to assist a station in distress.
A person of low intelligence...
47 CFR Subpart E - Providing Emergency Communications
97.403 Safety of Life and Protection of Property says: No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radio communication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.
97.405 Station in Distress, (a) No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its condition and location, and obtain assistance. (b) No provision of these rules prevents the use by a station, in the exceptional circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this section, of any means of radio communications at its disposal to assist a station in distress.
A person of low intelligence...
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