Friday, March 22, 2013

Florida Ham Hit with $25k Fine


The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability in the amount of $25,000 to a Florida ham who the Commission says repeatedly interfered with Sheriff's Department communications at the Brevard County Jail. According to the FCC, Terry VanVolkenberg, KC5RF, of Cocoa, Florida, was identified as the source of interfering radio transmissions on 465.300 MHz. The Commission says the interference included transmission of vulgar language, sound effects, previously-recorded prison communications and threats to take over the jail and shoot a deputy. The amount of the proposed fine is based on what the FCC terms "particularly egregious" misconduct. VanVolkenberg was given the usual 30 days to either make payment arrangements or file a formal appeal.