This one's for Sonwatcher!

[C W Morse]

Take note of the first paragraph about the sale of non-certified transceivers and modifying them for "extree"(?) channels. :twisted: So, YES! Riley WILL go after those who sell illegal equipment.

Know what?



GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


73

CWM

November 17, 2005


Gary J********
13088 Drake Road
Strongsville, OH 44136


RE: Renewal Application of Amateur Radio Technician Class License KB8ZNS
File Number 0002014666


Dear Mr. *******:


On August 19, 2005, we notified you that the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau had referred your renewal application to the Enforcement Bureau for review. That action was taken based upon a complaint filed against you alleging that you are marketing non-certified radio transmitters and that you are modifying certified radio equipment for operation on unauthorized frequencies and at power limits that violate Commission rules. A copy of the complaint was enclosed.


The August 19, 2005, letter notified you that the complaint, if valid, raises serious questions regarding your qualifications to retain an Amateur license. The letter requested that, pursuant to Section 308(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 308(b), you address the complaint within 30 days.


Your response dated August 25, 2005, did not address any of the allegations raised in the complaint. Accordingly, we are affording you an additional 20 days from the date of this letter to respond. Failure to respond will result in the dismissal of your application for renewal. The information you submit will be used to determine what action to take in this matter.

 

[Sonwatcher]

That IS interesting. Couple of thoughts. I see they responded to a complaint. There are Amateurs that are openly selling them and nothing said. I wonder if they tend to not bother them unless someone sends a complaint ? Is this the way they tend to handle most problems ? By complaints ?

 

[bandaid kid]

That IS interesting. Couple of thoughts. I see they responded to a complaint. There are Amateurs that are openly selling them and nothing said. I wonder if they tend to not bother them unless someone sends a complaint ? Is this the way they tend to handle most problems ? By complaints ?

However would they know about something like this happening without getting a complaint about it? It's not like they have mobile spy units cruising around looking for this stuff.

73

 

[Sonwatcher]

Well Bandaid kid I guess I didn't know all their workings or I guess I wouldn't have asked. I have read about mobile units (since you mention it ) they use for some things and also wondered if they see ads that are posted on websites for various things for sale and work on their own. Just was wondering if that seems to be the only way they worked. So, sorry for my dumb post.

 

[C2]

why don't you go over to eham and whimper about winlink2k?

And who is Mr. *?

The FCC limps around like a pizzy whipped meat ball going after nobodies.

Case in point, look what they did to the GMRS band by allowing the FRS/GMRS scandal to go on like it has. It is a no brainer to figure out whats going on when millions of GMRS or FRS/GMRS hybrids are sold and there are only a few thousand new licenses ordered.

 

[rfoverlord]

true that! c2, gmrs simplex is a joke with all the bubble pack pirates out there. Let's just say if the FCC was concerned about it( could make money enforcing) they would be. it's funny becuase i know a LARGE number of law enforcement individuals that operate them and uncertified cb equipment and they know it's illegal, but do so anyway. As a lot of them put it if you act stupid and attract attention to yourself you'll get busted. oh well 73

 

[C W Morse]

That IS interesting. Couple of thoughts. I see they responded to a complaint. There are Amateurs that are openly selling them and nothing said. I wonder if they tend to not bother them unless someone sends a complaint ? Is this the way they tend to handle most problems ? By complaints ?

Mostly FCC is complaint-driven. Maybe not the *right* way, but it seems to be the way it works. One can understand considering the funding situation they have to work under. *IF* they had the field force and the $$, I expect it would more effective. However, these days, FCC , unfortunately, is more about politicians than technical expertise. Look at how some of the FCC commissioners jumped for joy over BPL. FCC used to be filled with engineers and technicians--people who knew something about radio. Now it's about political expediency. Not all of them are like that (Riley sure isn't!), but it seems that politics rules the day. So we have a bad situation-lack of real funding and politicians that have not a clue about effective spectrum management nor how to use the funds they have.

I wouldn't doubt that the busts we read about come from people-even hams---who 'rat out' dealers, or each other for selling the export crap. :shock:

73

CWM

 

[bandaid kid]

Well Bandaid kid I guess I didn't know all their workings or I guess I wouldn't have asked. I have read about mobile units (since you mention it ) they use for some things and also wondered if they see ads that are posted on websites for various things for sale and work on their own. Just was wondering if that seems to be the only way they worked. So, sorry for my dumb post. [/quote

I didn't mean this to accuse you of a dumb post, I only meant this in regard to how would the FCC know about a "business" like this existing without being notified of it from a third party. I don't think they have personnel to blindly look for these sorts of things.

And the mobile "spy" units was a joke. Yes, FCC has vehicles that can use direction-finding equipment to track a signal to its source but they have to find out about a prolbem first. I'm not even sure their monitoring posts are still in operation any longer. Last I heard, there were 2 sites and those sites have lots of computer power and can locate anything they want to listen to, but I don't know.

So, no, it wasn't inteded to be a personal flame towards you and if I came across that way, I apolopize.

73

 

[Sonwatcher]

Thanks CW. I wasn't sure how they actually did things.
Bandaid, No problem. I just thought you figured it was a stupid question when actually I haven't a clue how they do things. I knew there was complaints that were acted on but didn't know if that was basically all they tended to do. I ask a lot of questions here and I know sometimes seem argumentive about some things but I ask in sincerity to try and learn about things a little deeper by probing with a lot of questions that the answers may not seem totally clear to me or seem contradictive.

 

[cyclops1970]

That IS interesting. Couple of thoughts. I see they responded to a complaint. There are Amateurs that are openly selling them and nothing said. I wonder if they tend to not bother them unless someone sends a complaint ? Is this the way they tend to handle most problems ? By complaints ?

I wouldn't doubt that the busts we read about come from people-even hams---who 'rat out' dealers, or each other for selling the export crap. :shock:

73

CWM

Actually, the FCC does respond to complaints. I can honestly say that I've seen about a 75-80 percent success rate on everyone I've complained about. It may take a year to 18 months for anything to happen, though.

It seems like the most responsive and actionable situations are when hams are involved. Usually a quick email to Riley with supporting documentation, and the situation is handled (I suspect by a well placed phone call from Riley). More onerous cases are when the District offices have to get involved.

It's really amazing what you can do by teaming a Whois lookup with a search of the ULS.

 

[C W Morse]

What is REALLY funny is to hear some jerk misbehaving and suddenly K4ZDH (Riley)comes on frequency! They suddenly go from being this big, bad guy that nobody can do anything with to "Yessir, yessir, I won't do it again" cause he knows what to expect in certified mail in a couple days! :shock:

"Please call me at 717-338-2502 to discuss this matter" :twisted: Oh, they may not say so, but I get this picture of a wolf shrinking down to a little puppy with his tail tucked between his legs!!! (snicker!). Doesn't work all the time, but most of us are smart enough not to backtalk "the man!!! I know of one photo in the web where this "ham" was being escorted to jail in handcuffs!

73

CWM

 

[jc4950]

yes

 

[C2]

no

 

[FL Native]

maybe

 

[enok]

things go'nna change

HI ... IM THINKING ...HUH ... IN THE NEXT FUTURE (SOON) THE BANDS *(ALLS) WILL BE OPEN TO EVERY ONE INCLUDED THE COMM.. COMPANIES TO BUY IT( OF COURSE: CHARLIE WIL WITHDRAW MORSE ..TOO) THEN SEE WHAT HAPPEN (BTW.. SHOW ME A RADIO THAT CANT' BE MODIFIED )