As part of its continuing crackdown on unauthorized radio operations, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a monetary forfeiture of $20,000 against a Pompano Beach, Florida man who operated an unlicensed radio station, despite repeated warnings from the FCC.
According to a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture issued by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau in November 2016, Charles Philome conducted unauthorized radio broadcasts from three different South Florida locations over a nearly year-long period. The operations were first identified in November 2015 by agents of the Bureau’s Miami Office following multiple complaints from consumers, and were confirmed using mobile direction-finding techniques.
However, despite receipt of both verbal and written warnings from the Enforcement Bureau, Philome allegedly continued his illegal radio broadcasts, moving his FM transmitting antenna from Pompano Beach to Margate and eventually back to Pompano Beach. In each instance, Philome’s illegal operations were confirmed by Enforcement Bureau agents.
The Communications Act of 1934 makes it unlawful to operate radio broadcasting equipment outside of prescribed limits without a license from the FCC, and authorizes the Commission to seize and forfeit any equipment used for such purposes.
