The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and a Pennsylvania-based amateur radio operator have reached a settlement in connection with a 2015 Forfeiture Order issued against the operator for intentional interference with radio communications.
Under the settlement, the operator, Brian Crow, will pay a financial penalty of $7000. Crow’s current “Amateur Extra” class radio operator license will also be temporarily downgraded to “Technician Class,” but will be restored to the higher level after six months if no new violations of FCC rules are identified.
According to the ARRL, the settlement resolves a case that began in 2014, when the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau investigated numerous interference complaints that were eventually traced to Crow’s residence. The FCC subsequently issued a Forfeiture Order in 2015, under which Crow was fined $11,500 for violation of the Commission’s rules. However, Crow never paid the fine, and the FCC then filed a civil suit to recover the unpaid fine.
Read the complete text of the FCC’s news release on the settlement.
Read a more detailed report of the case as reported by the ARRL.
