Illegal Repeator Site Questions

[dbfd588]

Here's the the deal.All county depts are paged out from a site in the center of the county. A fire dept on the outside edge of the county was missing calls. So they went and bought a repeator and put it up so that it repeats the page. Therefore extending the range. They are not licensed for it. Nor is the county. They first had it in the station. A neighbor that lives across from the station complained that it messed with his TV. So they moved it to a nearby business. Its a local heating and cooling business. Its in their backroom with the antenna outside. What is the fine on a violation like this. Who do I contact?

[KitN1MCC]

is it a simplex Rpt store the Voice then retransmit. i know they use that in a few areas. if they have a License for that frequency then they should be ok seeing how they are not operating as a conventional freq

[dbfd588]

yep. It stores it then just retransmits it on the same frequency. But they arent licensed for that location. i know if they were running more watts i know that would be illegal. But i think they may be in compliance with that. But I still think that is illegal. Even the members think its illegal. And what about this. Our county is using way more radios than they are licensed for. Is this a violation?

[jban]

All the County has to do is go online with the FCC and request an administrative update for the number of radios they now have. Very simple. Have done it twice with my VFD, No cost.

[dbfd588]

what aout the extra reapeator. is that ok. or illegal?

[Batwings21]

Its there frequency, right? Its a minor licensing detail.

[escomm]

Its there frequency, right? Its a minor licensing detail.

No, it is not a minor licensing detail. It's unlicensed operation. Feel free to browse http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/ , you will find all kinds of NALs, NOVs and Citations for the same kind of thing.

I should point out that you generally get two or three written warnings from the FCC for unlicensed operation before they drop the hammer on you and start writing tickets. The size of the average NAL makes it worth anyone's while to invest the comparatively small amount in a proper license.

[MTS2000des]

the city of Atlanta operated an unlicensed high power UHF repeater on 453.25/458.25MHz from the 600 Peachtree building since 1990, only when someone notified the local media of the operation (and specifically the radio traffic of unlicensed security guards accessing CJIS systems) magically within 3 days, they applied for and got a license. They bootlegged for 17 years on that pair and it was well known- only when the assclowns who abused the system (Comnet) got bad press did they bother to get legit.

But yes, do the right thing, don't follow the lead of what is becoming one of the most dirty and corrupt police departments, get a license. It costs a public safety user nothing so there really is no excuse.

[dbfd588]

Who do I call to report this illegal activity. We have got a father and son Chief and Asst Chief in our dept. They have somewhat just took over the dept. Its really a mess. So we are trying to get rid of them. Gonna try to make it hard as possible for them. I think this would be a good start. Anyone know who I call or email about this?

[nmfire10]

Why does it sound like this is a lot more about getting revenge on someone you don't like than anything else?

[Wicho]

Who do I call to report this illegal activity. We have got a father and son Chief and Asst Chief in our dept. They have somewhat just took over the dept. Its really a mess. So we are trying to get rid of them. Gonna try to make it hard as possible for them. I think this would be a good start. Anyone know who I call or email about this?

Hmmm...I have to agree with mmfire10.

Why not try and help instead? Let them know what's wrong and how to fix it. If you're just an a$$ about it, you're just going to end up hurting your own department in the end.

[Wile E. Coyote]

I would also have to agree with mmfire10.

Why get the FCC involved for an infraction when you can just as easily change the license for an alternate site, or file for a new frequency? Getting the FCC involved will only bring more chaos to an already troubled department. Not only that, but they are sure to ask you the same questions.

If you want to smoke out some people in the department, find another way.

...Just my 2 cents worth.


-WEC

[akardam]

I think this question has been answered. The department can license their operation properly, or the FCC can be asked to look into the matter.