In other enforcement matters, the FCC agreed in a January 26 Memorandum
Opinion and Order (MO&O) to reduce drastically a $10,000 fine, levied in the
case of CB operator-turned-radio amateur Robert A. Spiry, KD7TRB, of Tacoma,
Washington. The Commission cited Spiry for unauthorized operation on 11
meters that involved the use of uncertificated equipment and an illegal RF
power amplifier. The alleged violations occurred in 2002, and the FCC
affirmed the fine in an October 2004 Forfeiture Order (NOF). Responding to
an FCC Notice of Apparent Liability in 2003, Spiry admitted the violations
but said he'd sold his CB equipment and had obtained an Amateur Radio
license, the FCC said. The Commission agreed to lower Spiry's fine to $1500
after he demonstrated an inability to pay the original fine.
The FCC said its agents committed "no impropriety" in discussing Spiry's
case and considering its possible implications on his Amateur Radio license.
"It is well established that a violation in one service can impact on other
licenses that an individual may have," the MO&O said.
In an MO&O released January 29, the FCC reduced from $1000 to $250 the
forfeiture it had levied on Mark A. Clay, N8QYK, of Huntington, West
Virginia, for operating an unlicensed FM broadcast station. The FCC's
Columbia, Maryland, Field Office initially proposed a $10,000 fine. The
Enforcement Bureau subsequently reduced it to $1000, but Clay had sought to
have the FCC dismiss the fine altogether, based on his inability to pay. The
FCC further reduced it instead. Clay holds a Technician class Amateur Radio
license.
In another MO&O released January 29, the Commission declined to lower the
$12,000 fine it had ordered a Portland, Oregon, taxi company to pay. The FCC
alleges that spurious emissions resulting from Portland Taxicab Company's
unauthorized operation resulted in harmful 70 cm interference to an Amateur
Radio station, AB7F. The Commission also cited the firm, licensee of
WPRJ576, for failing to properly identify. The taxi company did not dispute
the violations but asked for a reduction in the fine based on inability to
pay, the FCC said.
Opinion and Order (MO&O) to reduce drastically a $10,000 fine, levied in the
case of CB operator-turned-radio amateur Robert A. Spiry, KD7TRB, of Tacoma,
Washington. The Commission cited Spiry for unauthorized operation on 11
meters that involved the use of uncertificated equipment and an illegal RF
power amplifier. The alleged violations occurred in 2002, and the FCC
affirmed the fine in an October 2004 Forfeiture Order (NOF). Responding to
an FCC Notice of Apparent Liability in 2003, Spiry admitted the violations
but said he'd sold his CB equipment and had obtained an Amateur Radio
license, the FCC said. The Commission agreed to lower Spiry's fine to $1500
after he demonstrated an inability to pay the original fine.
The FCC said its agents committed "no impropriety" in discussing Spiry's
case and considering its possible implications on his Amateur Radio license.
"It is well established that a violation in one service can impact on other
licenses that an individual may have," the MO&O said.
In an MO&O released January 29, the FCC reduced from $1000 to $250 the
forfeiture it had levied on Mark A. Clay, N8QYK, of Huntington, West
Virginia, for operating an unlicensed FM broadcast station. The FCC's
Columbia, Maryland, Field Office initially proposed a $10,000 fine. The
Enforcement Bureau subsequently reduced it to $1000, but Clay had sought to
have the FCC dismiss the fine altogether, based on his inability to pay. The
FCC further reduced it instead. Clay holds a Technician class Amateur Radio
license.
In another MO&O released January 29, the Commission declined to lower the
$12,000 fine it had ordered a Portland, Oregon, taxi company to pay. The FCC
alleges that spurious emissions resulting from Portland Taxicab Company's
unauthorized operation resulted in harmful 70 cm interference to an Amateur
Radio station, AB7F. The Commission also cited the firm, licensee of
WPRJ576, for failing to properly identify. The taxi company did not dispute
the violations but asked for a reduction in the fine based on inability to
pay, the FCC said.
