Pirate Radio Equipment Seized
Following complaints of illegal pirate radio broadcasts on four FM frequencies, FCC agents and Deputy U.S. Marshals took action, seizing radio transmission and production equipment at locations in the Bronx and Manhattan (New York). The FCC’s Acting Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc commented that “As alleged, these pirate radio stations were for-profit businesses that broke the law to line their own pockets while disrupting legitimate broadcasters. They should be out of business and off the air. “ More
Don't Program Unauthorized Channels
CAM Electronics Distributing (CAM) was issued a citation for programming frequencies into a radio transmitter for which the owner, FJC Security Corporation was not authorized.
FCC rules state that “except for frequencies used in accordance with § 90.417, no person shall program into a transmitter frequencies for which the licensee using the transmitter is not authorized.” CAM is required to take immediate corrective action to prevent recurrence and has thirty days to challenge the citation. The FCC warned CAM that future violations are likely to result in forfeiture penalties up to $16,000 for each violation each day for any single act or “failure to act”.
EWA has reported on such violations in the past and have suggested that dealers use the form below to help convince customers that they must hold proper licenses from the FCC for all channels programmed within their private land mobile systems. Execution of this form, however, does NOT remove dealer liability for programming unlicensed channels within customer premises equipment. Customer Programming/License Requirement Form.
Category: Enforcement CornerMotorola Solutions Sells Enterprise Business to Zebra Technologies
Motorola Solutions announced it would sell its enterprise unit to Zebra Technologies later this year for $3.145 billion and focus on “mission-critical communications“ such as government and public-safety products while allowing Zebra to expand its global presence. Motorola will keep its iDen network and will continue to serve its government markets which include two-way radios and other public safety devices. It is too early to predict what impact, if any, this well have on EWA’s sales/service and business enterprise members other than the requirement to perhaps now deal with multiple vendors for products and services in lieu of Motorola Solutions alone. Urgent Communications article
JVC Americas and Kenwood USA to Merge
JVC Americas Corporation and Kenwood USA Corporation, both subsidiaries of Japanese based JVC Kenwood Corporation, will merge operations on October 1, 2014 forming a single US based subsidiary, JVC Kenwood USA Corporation as part of the organization’s global integration strategy. Both JVC and Kenwood products will continue to be distinctly branded.
JVC Americas President/CEO Ryo Mizuhara commented that “This merger will allow us to operate more efficiently by sharing resources and standardizing processes.” Press Release
MRA Responds to Comments on Band Edge Waiver
Mobile Relay Associates responded to comments regarding its waiver request seeking Part 90 use on channels between Part 90 and 74 (Broadcast Auxiliary Services). Of the six comment filings, there were five in support of the FCC granting the waiver, including EWA, and a single partial opposition by the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE). In its comments, MRA noted that: (i) it met the standard for the requested waiver; (ii) there was “virtually no chance of harmful interference to incumbent BAS users” nor has SBE shown such likelihood; and (iii) there is no chance of harmful interference due to out-of-band emissions. MRA Comments
LMCC to Submit Rulemaking for Conditional Licensing Above 470 MHz
During its recent Annual Meeting, the LMCC membership agreed to submit a Petition for Rulemaking that would extend conditional licensing to the Industrial/Business and Public Safety bands above 470 MHz. During a morning panel session, FCC representatives suggested that it would be helpful to align the LMCC’s request with one or more of the FCC’s major agency policy initiatives to significantly improve its chances. We are uncertain, however, what major initiative that might be in this case, and we are not necessarily confident that such an approach would necessarily improve the petition’s opportunity for success.
Category: EWA On Your Side