FCC wants to fine Idaho man $34K for interfering in radio transmissions during wildfire

[chrismol1]

Exactly. Those legit users/entities/systems who have mou's in place that monitor a close agency still follow procedures and protocols set in place. They know when a legitimate life or death situation would be needed and not to just help. I'm sure in this guy's case IC was already setting up planning a initial attack when he keyed in prior to the hotshots rolling in distracting them from their IC or preventing IC from giving orders.

I wonder if he freely gave name and calling or stated call sign after xmitting giving IC command the information to report his actions.

If I was IC I know I'd be pretty hot with someone telling my guys the direction to go. He doesn't know what IC does and their 360 of the situation and attack.

I bet he was transmitting a bunch of hyped up nonsense that everyone already knew and telling them about his location at the airport in a hyped up state of excitement over the incident which he thought he was helping. If anyone has more info please post what he said

 

[AK9R]

...preferably castrated so he cannot procreate...

Too late. Look as his QRZ page. He already has three children.

 

[k7ng]

I have to chime in on 2 counts:

(1) I've done a lot of things that might be considered risky, but none are/were illegal. The catch phrase in each and every case is : "Make damn sure you know what you're getting into, first." Failing to consider that phrase can turn almost any activity into a criminal act (or perhaps a suicidal one, take your pick). I think this gentleman wasn't paying attention...

(2) He's old enough to have known better.

Sorry, pal, you get what you deserve.

 

[techman210]

And his company is trained in the use of "defibulators" whatever those are.

He's gonna have an interesting time renewing those microwave licenses starting in 2025.

 

[ecps92]

defibulators - used what you want to FIB to federal agents

And his company is trained in the use of "defibulators" whatever those are.

He's gonna have an interesting time renewing those microwave licenses starting in 2025.

 

[a417]

defibulators - used what you want to FIB to federal agents

They're going to confiscate his Rockwell Automation retro encabulator.

 

[mmckenna]

They're going to confiscate his Rockwell Automation retro encabulator.

Oscillation overthruster, along with his flux capacitor, no doubt.

 

[mmckenna]

Too late. Look as his QRZ page. He already has three children.

"Termination of parental rights".

No, that's too far, but I hope there is some learning that happens here. Guys like this often get away with it, and then encourage others to do the same thing so they are not the only ones. IE: Attempting to normalize bad behavior.
There is no sane person who would do this multiple times, after being requested to stop. This was ego.

 

[MTS2000des]

Whacker gets busted. He gets a small slap on the wrist, he's damn lucky he's not charged with a felony or two for actually interfering with a public safety operation on state crimes. The FCC is a joke. "Full stop" my ass. I spent 6 months chasing an unauthorized BDA/DAS causing harmful interference to our part 90 800MHz supposedly protected spectrum allocations. Found the offender which was some "get her done" BDA thrown in without retransmission authorization (as is required under part 90 rules). Some redneck sprinkler company red box bandit puts this piece of hash and trash generator in, and the FCC enforcement bureau hasn't lifted a finger other than to say "we are sending a letter to the building owner".

Whoopdee flippin do. This is the same agency that rubber stamps OET approvals for BAOTURDS sold by the thousands to consumers on Amazon pre-loaded with part 90 frequencies. I have zero faith in the FCC, though this NAL was a good laugh. Another whacker gets put on front street for playing ARES Randy Rescue.

My money says his ham ticket won't even get pulled let alone set aside come renewal time. Watch and see.

 

[mmckenna]

My money says his ham ticket won't even get pulled let alone set aside come renewal time. Watch and see.

I agree. He'll fight it, even though they have body cam recording of him admitting it. He'll pay little or nothing.
He'll then become the poster child for the ARRL "When All Else Fails" ad campaign, brought to you by Baofeng.

I've had mixed results with FCC. They did track down some interference here once and helped resolve it, all within 2 days.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel and the Enforcement bureau did at least make it clear what the rules are, and that they will at least try to enforce them. Hopefully we can stop these stupid posts about MARS/CAP mods.

 

[mmckenna]

FCC Proposes Record $34,000 Fine for Alleged Interference and Unauthorized Transmissions During Idaho Wildfire

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.

arrl.org

ARRL didn't seem to screw it up. Maybe there is hope for them.

 

[MTS2000des]

He should be more concerned about how his whacking will put him out of business. This is proof that this whackerism is a mental illness. This guy apparently runs a wireless ISP among other ventures, and has three kids. One would think that they would be more cognitive of the fact that whacking is a crime and hazardous to one's health, safety and freedom.

I am really interested in the back story. Speaking from personal experience with engaging the FCC EB to take action against intentional interference, they are very selective about cracking down like this. There has to be more to the story that got him on someones' radar.

 

[AK9R]

I do not have a crystal ball and I have no inside information about what the FCC might ultimately do in this case.

At this point, I'm not sure Mr. Frawley can claim ignorance of the rules or that his actions were a mistake. If he's smart, he'll hire an attorney. No guarantee that the hired mouthpiece will be familiar with communications law. I suspect that Mr. Frawley's attorney will claim that Mr. Frawley can't afford to pay a $34,000 fine. The FCC may accept a reduced settlement. That settlement may include some additional penalties such as loss of his amateur radio license. If Mr. Frawley is the sole proprietor of Leader Communications LLC, he may risk losing his business licenses though I do see a Bob Frawley mentioned on the website so maybe Jason Frawley has carefully isolated himself from the business and it's licenses.

Given the news media coverage of this fine and the FCC Chairperson's strong words, I don't think this is going to just go away. My bigger concern is that amateur radio now appears to be on the Commission's radar and that might not be a good thing.

 

[radionx]

People seem to blow right past Step #1and jump to step #15: Save the day, win awards, get the girl, profit. AKA: Hero Syndrome.
I suspect a lot of whackers would get diagnosed with it.
"A screening method has been developed, based on the case that those who commit the acts are generally young and are looking for an opportunity to prove or flaunt their bravery. However, there are no formal scientific studies on hero syndrome.[1]"

Interesting PDF from the Arkansas State Police here @ mmckenna

https://www.cji.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/the_hero_syndrome.pdf

are generally young and are looking for an opportunity to prove or flaunt their bravery

Or to save the world, like the climate changers. ;-) Maybe this guy gets trough by stating he was worried about climate change. If you work for the greater good ® , EVERYTHING you do is becoming legal and you got the golden ticket!

By the way (talkin' about psychology), @ mmckenna, what is the great danger about the greater good®?

However, there are no formal scientific studies on hero syndrome

That's sad, if we were armed with such studies we could dismantle all current politics.

Hard facts are so yesterday...let emotions play!

 

[mmckenna]

My bigger concern is that amateur radio now appears to be on the Commission's radar and that might not be a good thing.

I think Riley Hollingsworth did a lot to help amateur radio. Maybe some more eyes on it would help. The 'self policing' thing doesn't seem to be working too well.

 

[KK4JUG]

My bigger concern is that amateur radio now appears to be on the Commission's radar and that might not be a good thing.

Why?

 

[Craigmoe]

There is a certain number of licensed amateurs who think they can do whatever they want just because they are hams. From my location and over one hundred miles away I hear a group of amateurs yakking on FRS frequencies. They are not on 2-watt radios. I'm relatively sure must be modded out amateur equipment. And yes, at least some of them are amateurs, as occasionally one will slip and give their ham call. Have also heard a GMRS repeater put up by an amateur in the Wisconsin area that is digital. Looking up his call on a GMRS site, he is also a licensed ham. Not legal. For the record, I have been a licensed amateur over 30 years. Most of us follow the rules. Hopefully the FCC will make the right call on this and send a message.

 

[bharvey2]

There is a certain number of licensed amateurs who think they can do whatever they want just because they are hams. From my location and over one hundred miles away I hear a group of amateurs yakking on FRS frequencies. They are not on 2-watt radios. I'm relatively sure must be modded out amateur equipment. And yes, at least some of them are amateurs, as occasionally one will slip and give their ham call. Have also heard a GMRS repeater put up by an amateur in the Wisconsin area that is digital. Looking up his call on a GMRS site, he is also a licensed ham. Not legal. For the record, I have been a licensed amateur over 30 years. Most of us follow the rules. Hopefully the FCC will make the right call on this and send a message.

Yeah, this isn't usually an issue of ignorance but more of entitlement, whackerism being some sort of offshoot of the latter I'm inclined to believe. A very simple concept: If you weren't invited to the party, don't come. Some just don't get it.

With regard to the DMR/GMRS repeaters in Wisconsin, I remember a while back that there were some GMRS repeaters listed online as DMR. Very brazen to be sure.


BTW: I see you're from SW Michigan. Anywhere near Dowagiac? That's where the Mrs. was born an raised.

 

[AK9R]

I think Riley Hollingsworth did a lot to help amateur radio. Maybe some more eyes on it would help. The 'self policing' thing doesn't seem to be working too well.

Mr. Hollingsworth retired from the FCC and then got elected as an ARRL Vice Director. He did not seek re-election, but he did work closely with the ARRL and his contacts at the FCC to create the Volunteer Monitor program which replaced the Official Observer program. The VMs collect information about transgressions on the air and forward their data to the FCC. Some VM investigations have resulted in action by the FCC. As an example, here's a VM public report from back in December: The Volunteer Monitor Program Report for December 2021

 

[mmckenna]

With regard to the DMR/GMRS repeaters in Wisconsin, I remember a while back that there were some GMRS repeaters listed online as DMR. Very brazen to be sure.

There is one GMRS repeater in Central California that has an FCC issued experimental license to run DMR on their repeater and a few simplex frequencies. It's the only -legal- GMRS repeater running DMR.