Malicious Interference Cases Top FCC List

As the latest batch of FCC correspondence reveals, malicious interference cases continue to comprise the bulk of amateur enforcement cases facing FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Riley Hollingsworth. Recent allegations of deliberate and malicious interference have involved both HF and VHF/UHF operation. Here's a sampling. On December 30, 1999, the FCC wrote Amateur Extra Licensee Frederick J. Roll, NU5M, enclosing a tape recording it said was of a November 13, 1999, QSO between NU5M and KC1ZQ on 14.313 MHz that allegedly included harassing behavior. Hollingsworth said the tape was made by the FCC's High-Frequency Direction Finding Center in Columbia, MD. The FCC requested that Roll provide a full explanation of the transmissions and said his response would be used to determine what action the FCC would take in the matter. The FCC also set aside a recent vanity call sign grant to Roll, pending the outcome of the case. The FCC put Amateur Extra licensee Arthur Visser, W9ART, on notice December 30 that it intends to designate his license for revocation if it learns of additional allegations of malicious interference by the licensee. The FCC says it's received "numerous complaints regarding malicious interference and jamming" apparently originating from Visser's station on 3.950 MHz, most recently on Christmas Eve. The FCC had issued Visser a Warning Notice January 8, 1999, regarding similar allegations. Hollingsworth told the ARRL January 6, 2000, that he and Visser had been in touch by telephone "in an effort to resolve the issues" that led to the FCC letter. Meanwhile, the FCC wrote General licensee Jeffrey J. Pipenur, WA8IKW, in late December, setting side his license renewal, granted last October 19. Hollinsworth told Pipenur that the FCC had monitoring evidence indicating that the licensee has "deliberately and maliciously interfered with radio operations of other amateur licensees on 3.865 MHz" last April 13 and 14 and last November 21. The FCC also sent Pipenur tape recordings of his April 1999 transmissions and requested a response. "This matter will have to be resolved before we can make a decision on your renewal application," Hollingsworth told the licensee. Hollingsworth told the ARRL that the FCC has received renewed allegations of VHF repeater interference in connection with Anthony J. Barben, Jr., N2WNF, of Brooklyn, NY. In June 1997, Barben consented to a 15-month license suspension as part of an FCC effort to resolve a rash of interference cases in the New York City-Long Island area. The suspension followed accusations of will ful and malicious interference, using obscene or indecent language and failure to identify. On December 28, 1999, the FCC requested that Barben retake his Technician class Amateur Radio examination under the supervision of FCC personnel by January 30, 2000. Other repeater interference cases involved two stations in CA. The FCC sent Advanced licensee Jensen W. Woods, AH6MX, a Warning Notice for alleged interference with the KC6OKA repeater system in the LA area. Another Warning Notice went out to Technician licensee Gary R. Dent, KE6JUV, for alleged interference to an ATV repeater. Hollingsworth has said he plans to make more use of the FCC's High-Frequency Direction Finding Center to track down rulesbreakers in the coming year. In addition, Hollingsworth now has enhanced monitoring tools at his Gettysburg office.

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