I propose we begin to make a coordinated effort to identify, locate,
and report interlopers from outside the ham bands. The ready
availablility and affordability of moderate powered 10 meter rigs, or converted
CB rigs has made the temptation too great. We can not tell these
folks they don't belong, that they are violating the rules by being there.
Speaking to them violates part 97, as we are not to communicate with non-amateur
stations except in very specific circumstances. Defending our frequencies
is not one of them.
We do have at our disposal a great many stations with direction finding capabilities and motivation to help locate these folks. I hope if we can provide the FCC with enough information then they can and will take the appropriate action
I don't know if this will work or not, but I feel certain, sitting back and watching it happen will not help at all.
Please join the mailing list, and if you are on 10 (or any other band I suppose) and hear an unauthorized station transmitting, post the time and freq to the list. If you see a message come across the list, and the time delay isn't too great, take a listen. Post the relevant information, (Time, Freq, Strength, Mode, Beam heading etc)
If you are one of the unlicensed operators I am talking about, reconsider.
It is not unobtainable for you to get your license. Seek the help
of the ARRL or W5YI
or any of the myrriad of other sources of assistance to prospective hams.
CONTINUED UNLICENSED USE OF AMATEUR FREQUENCIES CAN NOT BE TOLLERATED.
Update
on getting a license!
Join our chatroom, it's HTML/Java based.
SB QST ARL ARLB096
ARLB096 FCC restructures: Three license classes, one code speed
The FCC has issued its long-awaited Report and Order on amateur licensing restructuring. The bottom line is that starting April 15, 2000, there will be three license classes--Technician, General, and Amateur Extra--and a single Morse code requirement--5 WPM.
''We believe that an individual's ability to demonstrate increased Morse code proficiency is not necessarily indicative of that individual's ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art,'' the FCC said.
Besides drastically streamlining the Amateur Radio licensing process, the FCC said its actions would ''eliminate unnecessary requirements that may discourage or limit individuals from becoming trained operators, technicians, and electronic experts.''
Although no new Novice and Advanced licenses will be issued after the
effective date of the Report and Order, the FCC does not plan to automatically
upgrade any existing license privileges. The ARRL had proposed a one-time,
across-the-board upgrading of current Novice and Tech Plus licensees to
General class, but the FCC declined to
adopt the idea. This means that current licensees will retain their
current operating privileges, including access to various modes and subbands,
and will be able to renew their licenses indefinitely.
Starting April 15, 2000, individuals who qualified for the Technician class license prior to March 21, 1987, will be able to upgrade to General class by providing documentary proof to a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator, paying an application fee, and completing FCC Form 605.
The FCC's decision not to automatically upgrade Novice and Tech Plus licensees means the current Novice/Tech Plus HF subbands will remain and not be ''refarmed'' to higher class licensees as the ARRL had proposed. The FCC said it did not refarm these subbands because there was ''no consensus'' within the amateur community as to what to do with them.
The FCC decided to lump Technician and Tech Plus licensees into a single licensee database, all designated as ''Technician'' licensees. Those who can document having passed the 5 WPM Morse code examination will continue to have the current Tech Plus HF privileges. The FCC said it may request documentation from a licensee or VEC to verify whether a licensee has passed a telegraphy examination.
The FCC action also authorizes Advanced Class hams to prepare and administer General class examinations, and eliminates Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) station licenses. RACES will remain, however.
Under the new licensing scheme, there will be four examination elements. Element 1 will be the 5 WPM Morse code exam. Element 2 will be a 35-question Technician exam; Element 3 will be a 35-question General exam; and Element 4 will be a 50-question Amateur Extra exam. The FCC has left it in the hands of the National Conference of VECs Question Pool Committee to determine the specific mix and makeup of written examination questions.
Elimination of the 13 and 20 WPM Morse requirements means an end to physician certification waivers for applicants claiming an inability to pass the Morse code examination due to physical handicap.
The FCC disagreed with the League's suggestion that it undertake a restructuring of operating privileges along with licensing restructuring. The Commission said it wanted to give the amateur community a chance to ''reach a consensus'' regarding new technologies before it tried to restructure amateur operating privileges and frequencies.
A copy of the entire Report and Order (FCC 99-412) is available at
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT July 16, 1999
To all radio amateurs
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ARLB044 FCC fines Florida man $20,000
The FCC has levied a $20,000 fine on a Florida man for violations stemming from alleged unlicensed operation on Amateur Radio frequencies. William Flippo of Jupiter is accused of willful operation of an unlicensed radio station on 28.375 MHz, willful and malicious interference with ongoing Amateur Radio communications, and with failing to let FCC representatives inspect his radio equipment. All of the alleged violations are said to have occurred June 8, 1999.
The FCC's Compliance and Information Bureau has been investigatingcomplaints from hams in the Jupiter area for nearly two years. Afterexperiencing intentional interference on 10 and 2 meters, local hamsprovided the Commission with audio tapes and the results of close-inmonitoring and direction finding.
Subsequently, an FCC agent used direction-finding techniques to determine that intentional interference to amateur traffic ''was occurring and that the intentional interference was being transmitted from the residence of William Flippo.'' The FCC agent, accompanied by a local sheriff's deputy, attempted to inspect the radio equipment at Flippo's residence on June 8, but Flippo reportedly refused to allow the inspection.
Flippo has 30 days to respond to the FCC Notice, sent July 12 by FCC
Tampa District Director Ralph M. Barlow.
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In the weeks ahead, Hollingsworth said he hopes to turn hisattention to such problems as the incursion of unlicensed operators on 10 meters--the so-called ''freebanders'' who often stray onto amateur frequencies--as well as the improper marketing of equipment to unlicensed individuals and examination fraud cases. He also plans to add some casual monitoring capabilities at his Gettysburg office.
Hollingsworth said he's currently working about a month behind in replying and advised those contacting him to use either a letter or e-mail instead of the telephone.
This was Hollingsworth's first visit to HQ. He said getting a chance to visit W1AW was the highlight. During his visit, Hollingsworth made a quick contact with an acquaintance on 20 meters from W1AW. He also had the rare opportunity to wield the original Wouff Hong and Rettysnitch--the traditional symbols manufactured and invoked by ''The Old Man'' during the early years of the hobby to combat poor operating practices. League officials expressed the hope that the experience would provide an additional boost to Hollingsworth's present-day enforcement efforts.
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