Pirate in Houston

[CW]

For those wondering about a pirate on 96.1, this is from the FCC Enforcement Bureau (glad to see my old high school friend, Mr Lee, is still around..I HAD heard he had taken a medical retirement from the FCC...guess that wasn't 100% accurate)

                       ENFORCEMENT BUREAU
                      South Central Region

                         Houston Office
                     9597 Jones Road, # 362
                      Houston, Texas 77065
                                       

                          June 22, 2005


Gerald and Linda Dougherty
Houston, Texas

                 NOTICE OF UNLICENSED OPERATION

                                   Case Number:  EB-05-HU-033
                                   Document Number:  W20053254002

The Houston Office received information that an unlicensed
broadcast radio station on 96.1 MHz was allegedly operating in
Houston, Texas.  On May 19, 2005 and June 10, 2005, agents from
this office confirmed by direction finding techniques that radio
signals on frequency 96.1 MHz were emanating from your residence
in Houston, Texas.  The Commission's records show that no license
was issued for operation of a broadcast station on 96.1 MHz at
this location in Houston, Texas.  

Radio stations must be licensed by the FCC pursuant to 47 U.S.C.
§ 301.  The only exception to this licensing requirement is for
certain transmitters using or operating at a power level or mode
of operation that complies with the standards established in Part
15 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §§  15.1 et seq.  The
field strength of the signal on frequency 96.1 MHz was measured
at 3800 microvolts (µV/m) at 115 meters, which exceeded the
maximum permitted level of 250 microvolts per meter (µV/m) at 3
meters for non-licensed devices.  Thus, this station is operating
in violation of 47 U.S.C. § 301.

You are hereby warned that operation of radio transmitting
equipment without a valid radio station authorization constitutes
a violation of the Federal laws cited above and could subject the
operator to severe penalties, including, but not limited to,
substantial monetary fines, in rem arrest action against the
offending radio equipment, and criminal sanctions including
imprisonment.  (see 47 U.S.C. §§ 401, 501, 503 and 510).

UNLICENSED OPERATION OF THIS RADIO STATION MUST BE DISCONTINUED
IMMEDIATELY.

You have ten (10) days from the date of this notice to respond
with any evidence that you have authority to operate granted by
the FCC.  Your response should be sent to the address in the
letterhead and reference the listed case and document number.  
Under the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a(e)(3), we are
informing you that the Commission's staff will use all relevant
material information before it to determine what, if any,
enforcement action is required to ensure your compliance with FCC
Rules.  This will include any information that you disclose in
your reply.

You may contact this office if you have any questions.

Stephen P. Lee
Resident Agent
Houston Office

[Jay C]

FCC who?

Pirates need to move to podcasting.

______________

"I'll see you Left of the Dial!"

[stan]

> FCC who?
>
> Pirates need to move to podcasting.
>
so how much coverage do you suppose this one was?  If I use a commercially available FM transmitter from say, C Crane meant for only broadcasting around my house, is that OK?  Or will the FCC come after me also, if my neighbor happens to pick up my "pirate"?  Not that I have one, of course.

[CW]

> > FCC who?
> >
> > Pirates need to move to podcasting.
> >
> so how much coverage do you suppose this one was?  If I use
> a commercially available FM transmitter from say, C Crane
> meant for only broadcasting around my house, is that OK?  Or
> will the FCC come after me also, if my neighbor happens to
> pick up my "pirate"?  Not that I have one, of course.
>
The pirate in question was running over 35 watts if my calculations are correct....if you use a Part 15 transmitter from C Crane or Ramsey, it wont be a problem....
Got a freq in mind Stan?

[Mediafrog]

> if you use a Part 15 transmitter
> from C Crane or Ramsey, it wont be a problem....

The C Crane units are supposed to go about 75 to 100 feet, but can probably get out much farther if there are no obstructions and you have a sensitive receiver.

I've heard of wireless mics being picked up over three miles away by good quality scanners using directional receive antennas.  Even my cordless phone still works more than 1000 feet from the base unit.  

> Got a freq in mind Stan?

Now that's getting to be a problem these days in Houston.  Only two or three 2nd adjacents that wouldn't have major tropo issues.

[Mike_O]

> > if you use a Part 15 transmitter
> > from C Crane or Ramsey, it wont be a problem....
>
> The C Crane units are supposed to go about 75 to 100 feet,
> but can probably get out much farther if there are no
> obstructions and you have a sensitive receiver.
>
> I've heard of wireless mics being picked up over three miles
> away by good quality scanners using directional receive
> antennas.  Even my cordless phone still works more than 1000
> feet from the base unit.  
>
> > Got a freq in mind Stan?
>
> Now that's getting to be a problem these days in Houston.
> Only two or three 2nd adjacents that wouldn't have major
> tropo issues.
>
The C Crane units that are digital and can tune in 0.5mHz steps can be boosted in power by pealing off the label on the back.  There is a large hole and two smaller ones, by adjusting the larger hole opening screw you can get about 250 feet before the signal is gone.  The first unit I bought was to hook up to my PC so I could listen to Internet Radio on any radio in the condo.  I couldn't get a signal more than twenty feet in mono.  I called Tech Support and they told be how to increast the power output on the unit.

I would doubt that I am illegal even with a signal that goes a max of 250 feet before there is no signal.  Since the stereo in the living room tunes in 0.5mHz, I have gone to an off frequency of 95.25mHz and so far no problem with any interference.

I am surprised the pirate in NW Houston was using 96.1.  KAGG IIRC has a weak signal at my parents, only a few miles from the site of the a pirate.  Any time there is even slight tropo ducting from B/CS area, KAGG booms in at my home in the Galleria area.  I would think Aggie 96 would give the pirate interference on a regular basis.

Mike O

[jras20]

Interesting... I have a  C crane hooked onto my computer for Internet radio, Mine doesnt transmite that well through the house, I may half to check into that, but your right, they you can tune it at 94.3.5 if needed.  Here at my place near Austin about the only free dial I have is 94.3, even that one sometimes gets cluttered.

[Chuck Tiller]

Perhaps Brian Dougherty ought to consider broadcasting on a very low wattage, while simulcasting on the internet. That way, he won't get into trouble with the FCC. He could play anything he wanted.

There is a cat in the 300 block of Wilcrest who broadcasts on 92.5. He calls it Lakeside Radio, KBTL. About every 3rd song is a Beatles record. Here is his website:

http://kbtl.com/

He also streams from that website. On 92.5 he gets out about 2 maybe 3 blocks. He digs the Beatles and liked 920KYST when it was all Beatles and known as KBTL. Although, it was never assigned those call letters.

[CinnamonRoll]

Interesting, that is in the 290/West/Jones area, but I only picked it up driving on 610 around South Post Oak in the Meyerland area.
I don't go near the 290/West/Jones area, so I don't know about hearing it there.
Is there a reason why I would only pick it up in the area that I did?

[stan]

> > > FCC who?
> > >
> > > Pirates need to move to podcasting.
> > >
> > so how much coverage do you suppose this one was?  If I
> use
> > a commercially available FM transmitter from say, C Crane
> > meant for only broadcasting around my house, is that OK?
> Or
> > will the FCC come after me also, if my neighbor happens to
>
> > pick up my "pirate"?  Not that I have one, of course.
> >
> The pirate in question was running over 35 watts if my
> calculations are correct....if you use a Part 15 transmitter
> from C Crane or Ramsey, it wont be a problem....
> Got a freq in mind Stan?
>

I use 105.3 in Beaumont with no problem.  It covers my yard adequately while I am mowing, etc.