A New Jersey amateur radio operator has reached an agreement with the Enforcement Bureau of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over alleged unlicensed radio operations.
According to an Order issued by the FCC in mid-June, David Larsen Sr. of Highland Park, NJ has agreed to pay a $7500 civil penalty and surrender his Amateur Extra-class license to settle charges in connections with multiple instances of unauthorized transmissions on the Highland Park municipal radio system in 2018 and 2019, which is reserved exclusively for public safety uses. Larsen has also agreed to turn over radios currently in his possession, and to pay an additional civil penalty of $32,500 should he be found in violations of the terms of his agreement with the FCC anytime in the next 10 years.
Larsen was originally questioned by agents of the Enforcement Bureau in connection with complaints of unauthorized transmissions in 2018 but denied through legal counsel that he had been responsible. However, additional complaints were received earlier this year, leading the Bureau to resume its investigation and ultimately identifying Larsen as the generator of those transmissions.
