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 Previous: New York Reintroduces Ham Radio Antenna Bills |  Next: Surfin': Plumbing, Antennas and Emergency Communications |
NEWINGTON, CT, Feb 21, 2003--The FCC has proposed fining a Nebraska Technician-class Amateur Radio operator, Scott E. Kamm, N0UGN, of Waterbury $12,000 for alleged willful and repeated interference, broadcasting of music and failing to identify with his call sign. The FCC's Kansas City office released the Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) on January 24.
Responding to complaints of continuing interference on the input of a 2-meter repeater, FCC agents monitored the frequency last December 9. They observed "very strong signals on the frequency 146.31 MHz consisting of music, sound effects and unmodulated carriers" and no station ID. The FCC said the transmissions were "interfering with existing communications in progress" between other amateur stations.
The FCC said it used direction-finding techniques to determine that the source of the signals was Kamm's residence in Waterbury. The next day, an FCC agent monitored the same sorts of transmissions, tracked the source to Kamm's residence, and inspected Kamm's amateur station.
"The agent found an amateur radio transceiver capable of operating on 146.31 MHz," the FCC said. Kamm claimed no transmissions were made from his station and that he used the unit to receive only.
Based on its evidence, however, the FCC Kansas City office determined that Kamm "willfully and repeatedly" violated FCC Part 97 rules "by causing intentional interference, broadcasting music and failing to identify with his station call sign." The FCC determined that the appropriate fine was $12,000 and ordered Kamm to pay the fine within 30 days unless Kamm seeks a reduction or appeals the proposed forfeiture.
Kamm already has come to the attention of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau. He was the target of several letters and an FCC Warning Notice from Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth during 2002. Last fall, the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau set aside Kamm's amateur license based upon complaints about the operation of his station and questions regarding his qualifications to be a licensee. Kamm's license expired last September, and his renewal application has reverted to a pending status while the matter was referred to the Enforcement Bureau.
A Warning Notice issued by the FCC Enforcement Bureau February 5, 2002, alleged Kamm had been transmitting on 156.300 and 174.000 MHz without a license as well as causing deliberate interference to the amateur repeater on 146.91 MHz.
Additionally, the FCC has said that subsequent to the Warning Notice, information came to its attention that Kamm had "apparently provided radio equipment to an unlicensed minor residing at 1977 S Avenue in Waterbury, Nebraska, and that you instructed him on how to operate on the Marine Band and other frequencies." In a response to the FCC's Warning Notice a year ago, Kamm denied setting up radio equipment for the minor, and stated that he had sold all radio equipment.
Kamm's FCC mailing address is in Sioux City, Iowa. The FCC also has asked Kamm to clarify his address in the FCC database.
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