Pirates, Pirates Everywhere - Fines Up to $25,000

[Kage]

For an industry that some say is about to be made obsolete because of its digital competition, there are still many people who want a piece of the FM spectrum. We've written much about the contest between LPFM and translator proponents seeking their piece of FM spectrum - a contest that we should see resolved by the FCC in the very near future. One topic that we have not written much about is "pirate radio," stations that operate illegally - without FCC authority. This week, the FCC issued several orders, fining individuals up to $25,000 for operating pirate radio stations in various places around the country (see decisions here and here, and two other fines of $20,000 or more noted below). Pirate radio has been and remains a big problem for many broadcasters and, despite the fines in cases like this, pirates seem to continue to crop up - especially in urban markets.

The pirate radio problem has always been with broadcasters. In the past there was both the romance of the outlaw radio operator and concerns over the snake oil salesmen who were broadcasting from stations in Mexico, and there was a famous religious broadcaster who lost a battle with the FCC over the Fairness Doctrine in connection with a real radio station and then resumed operations from a boat off the coast of New Jersey. But in the last 20 years pirates have been much more localized, low power operators, trying to reach audiences largely in urban areas. Despite a series of court decisions rejecting any First Amendment claim of pirates, and denying any claim that these low-power, local stations did not implicate the FCC's power over interstate commerce regulation, pirates have never gone away. In many ways, the FCC introduced the concept of Low Power FM stations in the 1990s as a way to provide an outlet for those who might otherwise be inclined to operate an unlicensed station. In fact, one of the big arguments at the time of the initiation of LPFM was whether former pirate radio operators should be allowed to apply for LPFM stations.

But LPFM has never stemmed the pirate radio tide, as these stations keep cropping up all over the country. Perhaps LPFM has not been rolled out fast enough, or perhaps it simply is easier to just throw up a pirate station, rather than having to wait for the FCC processes - which, in the end, may not allow for a radio station in a particular community anyway because of interference concerns. The interference concerns are, of course, the biggest issue - as many full-power stations, which have been purchased for significant sums and which have large audiences, can have real issues reaching these audiences because of pirate radio stations. The pirates can also threaten public safety, as was the case with one pirate fined $20,000 last week for operating an illegal station that was causing interference to frequencies adjacent to the FM band that are used for FAA purposes.

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I have noticed quite a few NALs lately, most of them coming out of Florida which makes sense because they are really cracking down in that state.
Anyone who is interfering with the FAA should be taken off the air for the same reasons a licensed station would be.
However I don't agree with where it says pirates have interfered with other licensed radio stations. The most a pirate is going to do to a licensed station is pull away some of their listeners because they find the pirate station more interesting to listen to
Just found the article and thought it was interesting.

[RFBurns]

I agree with the interference issue from those who don't make sure their signal is as clean as it can be. They just slap up some noisy ping pong ding dong wing wong transmitter and do not bother to do a little research before hitting the power button. With an added tiny investment, they could keep themselves out of trouble. Instead..they jam up crucial aircraft communications and that is certainly harmful interference.

There is reason why pirate radio exists...and it is not because they want to purposely cause interference.

The "big boy" stations are just cry babies and can't stand competition. If they could, they would be filing complaints against each other with the FCC. If they had a fraction of brain power, they would figure it out that one size fit's all ears radio does not work. Wow, what a simple pre-school toddler concept! Even a baby let's you know when you use a crappy diaper versus a comfortable one!

As to the LPFM thing...PFFT! That service was doomed to special interest WAY before the FCC started discussions and laying out the ground work for it. It was a big sham just like the fiasco and demise of AM C-QUAM Stereo was. The process for LPFM is no different from commercial class stations...if ya got the $$$$ and win the bid...it's yours.

The FCC and the lobbyists have turned the spectrum into nothing more than real estate property auctions. High-rollers need only bid.

The first question on the applications should read.."How much money ya got?"

(FCC Public Rep)..To serve the public interest.....umm sorry...To serve the $PECIAL interest.

Peace!

[Ozone Express Radio]

Any pirate knowingly or otherwise putting out harmful interference should get dinged. They asked for it.

The FCC however is about as good at enforcing their NAL's as they are finding pirates operating in plain sight for years at megawattage in the first place. Almost without fail, all of the NOUO's and NAL's are complaint driven. That should show anyone watching just how ineffective this agency is, that soaks up so much taxpayer money to no useful end whatsoever.

The argument that revenue is being lost to pirate operators is one of the biggest lies foist upon the public by the FCC being manipulated by the NAB. Show me one commercial station that can truly say they have lost business as a result of a pirate firing up his transmitter and broadcasting a show. Even the blatant pirates with stations who run 24/7 and with advertising on air doubtfully hurt the bottom line of any commercial giant, even in a small market. No, there is a small and powerful minority that controls the spectrum for their own profit and intends to keep doing so for as long as possible with the blessing of the President.