The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a fine of $25,000 against a Florida man for operating an unlicensed “online” radio station on FM frequencies.
In a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture issued in March 2015, the FCC cited Damian Anthony Ojouku Allen of Fort Lauderdale, FL for allegedly operating a pirate radio station, self-identified as “NGR Online Radio.” In this instance, FCC agents from the Enforcement Bureau’s Miami Office identified on three separate occasions in August and September 2013 unlicensed radio transmissions emanating from an FM transmitting antenna located on the rooftop of a Ft. Lauderdale commercial property. Using field strength measurement equipment, the agents determined that the transmissions exceeded the limits for operations under the Commission’s Part 15 Rules.
As a result, detectives with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department arrested Allen for operating an unlicensed FM radio station and seized his transmitting equipment. Allen pleaded guilty to a third degree felony charge under Florida state law.
According to the FCC, this is not the first time that the Commission has cited Allen for the unlicensed operation of a radio transmitter. The Miami Office of the Enforcement Bureau previously cited Allen in 2010 and 2012 for operation of unlicensed stations in Pompano Beach and at other locations in Florida.
Read the complete text of the Commission’s Notice of Apparent Liability against a Florida man for operating an unlicensed “online” radio station on FM frequencies.
