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[Jason Glass]

It's coming, folks.  They're getting aggressive again with busting illegal FM broadcasters.  Not only the physical operators of TX, but also landlords, meaning that your venue can be fined up to $2 Million.

"FCC ENFORCEMENT BUREAU WARNS PROPERTY OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF SIGNIFICANT NEW FINANCIAL PENALTIES FOR ALLOWING ILLEGAL BROADCASTING ON THEIR PROPERTY. The FCC's Enforcement Bureau announced it has begun targeting property owners and managers that knowingly tolerate pirate broadcasting on their properties, exercising the Commission's new authority under the recently enacted PIRATE Act."

Read the full announcement:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-368836A1.pdf

And there's more:

"IN THE MATTER OF AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1.80 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES, IMPLEMENTING SECTION 2 OF THE PREVENTING ILLEGAL RADIO ABUSE THROUGH ENFORCEMENT ACT (PIRATE ACT). Adopts rules implementing the PIRATE Act, codifying additional forfeiture penalties against pirate radio broadcasters and any person who permits the operation of pirate radio broadcasting.. Action by: By the Chief, Enforcement Bureau, and the Managing Director. Adopted: 2020-12-17 by ORDER. (DA No. 20-1490). EB OMD."

The full order:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-1490A1.pdf

[Brian Jojade]

It's good that they are enforcing the laws.

It's unfortunate that they don't create a legal channel that would allow short term broadcasts.

[Jason Glass]

It's good that they are enforcing the laws.

It's unfortunate that they don't create a legal channel that would allow short term broadcasts.

Agreed 100%

IMHO, the commission's failure to open a legal path to 100 mW EIRP transmissions in FM band white space, via proper STA, is an egregious abandonment of their duty "to serve the public good" during this national disaster pandemic.  This worldwide tragedy of biblical proportion.

But it is the law of the land.  Those who choose to break it are materially harming those of us who comply.  They should suffer swift, stern, meaningful, and appropriately painful punishment.

[Kevin Maxwell]

Is this referring to wireless mics or people who are doing drive-in church services? Or is it all of the above or something else. 

[Scott Helmke]

Is this referring to wireless mics or people who are doing drive-in church services? Or is it all of the above or something else.

I believe it refers to unlicensed FM band transmitters, 88-106MHz.

Company I work for has the cheap Rolls transmitter with a slightly better antenna than stock, which on the one hand is disappointing but on the other hand is at least legal.  There's at least one nationwide rental house that'll rent you a 2 watt transmitter with the caveat "the FCC almost never bothers to enforce it".

[Jason Glass]

I believe it refers to unlicensed FM band transmitters, 88-106MHz.

Company I work for has the cheap Rolls transmitter with a slightly better antenna than stock, which on the one hand is disappointing but on the other hand is at least legal.  There's at least one nationwide rental house that'll rent you a 2 watt transmitter with the caveat "the FCC almost never bothers to enforce it".

Hi Scott,

I'm sorry to break the news, but the Rolls HR70 is flatly illegal to sell, rent out, or operate in USA.  It has no FCC type certification, its antenna attaches via a standard BNC connector that is not "unique", and it has a previously published output power specification of 40 mW (now removed from their website and all documentation), which are all violations of the rules.  It's also illegal to operate any unlicensed FM band transmitter with any antenna other than the one FCC certified with the device.

[Scott Helmke]

Hi Scott,

I'm sorry to break the news, but the Rolls HR70 is flatly illegal to sell, rent out, or operate in USA.  It has no FCC type certification, its antenna attaches via a standard BNC connector that is not "unique", and it has a previously published output power specification of 40 mW (now removed from their website and all documentation), which are all violations of the rules.  It's also illegal to operate any unlicensed FM band transmitter with any antenna other than the one FCC certified with the device.

Well, that's inconvenient!   

On the other hand it's not really been a popular rental item at all.  Will pass along that it's not certified.

[ProSoundWeb Community]