The owner of a Texas beauty salon has been issued a citation by the Enforcement Bureau of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for operating a lighting fixture that created harmful interference to radio communications services.
The citation stems from a July 2013 investigation by agents of the Bureau’s South Central Region into reports of interference with licensed cellphone communications at 705 MHz. Using a spectrum analyzer and a hand-held antenna, agents confirmed that the interfering signals were emanating from an overhead lighting fixture at the Perfect Cuts Salon in San Antonio, TX. Ronald Bethany, the owner of the salon, told agents that he was aware of the problem, and had contacted the fixture’s manufacturer to replace the lighting.
However, Bethany refused Bureau agents’ request to conduct onsite testing to verify the interference complaint. Bethany also subsequently refused the Bureau’s instructions to address the interference, saying that it was not causing him any problems and that he would not repair or replace the fixture unless paid to do so.
Under the conditions of the FCC’s citation, Bethany is subject to monetary fines and forfeiture of equipment if he continues to operate the light fixture.
Read the complete text of the FCC’s Citation and Order regarding operation of a lighting fixture that has created harmful interference to radio communications services.
