Enforcement Bureau Accuses Three of Being Pirates
by Susan Ashworth - Radio World
on 01.13.2016
The Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communication Commission descended
on three New York broadcasters to notify them — and everyone reading
through the FCC’s Daily Digest — that they must cease communications.
The three alleged operators of the pirate stations — Joseph Rodney,
Everton Ladrick and Earl Armoogan — are all from the Bronx, and were
brought to the FCC’s attention after receipt of complaints that
unlicensed broadcasts were operating on frequency 105.7 MHz (Rodney) and
92.5 MHz (Ladrick and Armoogan, who are listed as residing at the same
address).
The New York Enforcement Bureau office used direction-finding techniques
on both frequencies to determine that the field strength of the signals
emanating on those frequencies in the Bronx exceeded the maximum
permitted level for unlicensed devices.
“Unlicensed operation of this radio station must be discontinued
immediately,” the FCC said in a notice released on Dec. 28. Potential
penalties include a monetary fine, seizure of the radio equipment and
criminal sanctions including imprisonment. The individuals had 10 days
to respond with evidence that they have FCC authority to operate; no
word yet from the FCC on what — if any — response was received.
The issue of finding and shuttering down unlicensed or pirate radio
operations remains a contentious process for the current commission. FCC
Chairman Tom Wheeler has said that shutting down unlicensed broadcast
stations is a priority, but has admitted that the process is a slippery
slope, as the FCC sends out warnings only to find that some unauthorized
broadcasts cease moved to a new location or frequency. During a Nov. 17
FCC oversight hearing held in front of the House Energy and Commerce
Committee, the chairman asked Congress to give the FCC legislative
support against pirate radio operators. “Congress could make it illegal
to aid or abet pirate radio operations and deny them the opportunity to
operate in this way,” Wheeler said then. “This would be a significant
means of thwarting the continued growth of pirate radio.”
New York in particular has been plagued by unlicensed and pirate radio
operations. “Radio frequency disruptions can cause significant problems
for citizens throughout New York, and especially in New York City,”
Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said in a
joint letter to the FCC last summer. “We urge you to continue to use all
possible enforcement tools to address this issue, and to devote what
resources you can to help prevent these types of disruptions in New York.”
- See more at:
http://www.radioworld.com/article/enforcement-bureau-accuses-three-of-being-pirates/277896#sthash.IQRCBf1r.dpuf
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*================================================ Duane Whittingham -
N9SSN (ARES/RACES, EmComm, Skywarn & Red Cross)
http://www.radiodude.info ================================================*
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