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The FCC - Is its bark worse than its bite?

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Survey Comments

FCC has no bite anymore

I used to live 13 miles from the FCC monitoring station in Canandaigua, N.Y. If you broke a rule or reg., they were there to tell you all about it, real quick. Now, the station is closed, the towers all torn down and the big rombics all gone. The enforcement budget is a very small fraction of what it once was, and the garbagemouths on 40 and 75m know it. They think that if you hear the words on tv you can use them anywhere on the bands. Out of band operation is common and anyone can run over your qso without fear of being cited for interference. I run my station well and talk to my friends without using off color or obscene words, and enjoy the hobby as best I can. If I inadvertently interfere with a qso in progress, I clear the frequency immediately. I'm not perfect, I make mistakes occasionally. But I sure wish enforcement was more strict, especially when the foul language starts. I want my 7 year old boy to be able to sit in the shack and not have to worry about him hearing words that we never use at home. Sometimes I can't spin the dial fast enough, when some idiot spews out some foul comment. I wonder what the rest of the ham community worldwide thinks of our "garbagemouths"?
Posted by W4FJF on 2005-01-18

Interesting… those who complain the most, have no call signs. Or are ashamed to post them.

Gene, K1ZF
Posted by K1ZF on 2004-11-09

NTIA

The NTIA has to have more competence
than the FCC, they actually are responsible for the operation of radio systems. The FCC just issues licenses to folks.

73 de Ronnie
Posted by WA4MJF on 2004-10-14

The FCC

It's sad to see that NTIA has significantly more technical competence than FCC. Recent example is the work that NTIA has done on BPL, which makes the FCC look like a lot of ignorant paper pushers.
Now the fool FCC Chairman goes off flagrantly breaking FCC's own rules, schmoozing with BPL proponents during the Sunshine Agenda period for the BPL NPRM.
Frankly, it makes me sick. And I don't kid myself that it would be any different with a different party in the White House.

Posted by AB5XZ on 2004-10-13

FCC...........

Years ago the FCC had real power with field engineers who actually did a job. As mentioned, Now it is just a pack of lawyers and bean counters for the most part. Yes, Riley has been doing a great job for the ham radio group. But he is only one person.
An example of how messed up they are, Check out getting a GMRS license. I thought I would try to help some friends do the "right thing" by assisting them getting a GMRS license for the pair of GMRS "bubble pack" radios they got on Ebay.
What should be a simple form to fill out and mail in with the payment turns out to be a series of hoops to jump through that is almost impossible for the average person to do. I would bet that far less than 10 percent of those who buy these radios actually get the proper license for them. NOT because they dont want to, But because of the extreme difficulty of doing so. The government is also missing out on LOTS of money in these "lost" licenses, AND creating many new lawbreakers who figure they will just take a chance that the toothless FCC will never catch them than hire some local lawyer to help them actually get the correct license.
The general public who buys a pair of these radios for about 30 bucks should not have to jump through so many hoops to be legal. They are NOT applying for a 50KW commercial license, Just a simple GMRS license. WAY too may lawyers running that pony show!
Posted by K9KJM on 2004-10-12

New survey, please !
Posted by KK7WN on 2004-10-11

The FCC

The FCC is presently lacking leadership.
Powell is not the leader to take the FCC to
the future. His leadership, when it
occurs, is very short sighted and
motivated by partisian politics. The
sooner the administration finds a new
leader for the FCC...the better!
Posted by W0LD on 2004-10-10

The FCC

I think the Fcc is Much too easy on violators.. What's a few thousand to Viacom?
POCKET CHANGE I'll bet they spend that much on the monthly office party ..Burn them for 5 or 10 million and see how fast they and others shape up!!!
What message does a fine of a few thousand for a ham being reduced to a few hundred send to the radio community, when the fine costs less than his radio?
What about minimal (IF ANY) enforcement of the CB bands..??
"That dog has NO teeth" is the message being sent..
I will give Riley credit the ham bands are better. why? ENFORCEMENT .. It works!
Hit them in the pocketbook hard enough to get their attention and let some of these DUMMYS reduce our deficit and clean up radio (and tv) in the process..
The attitude out there is.... FCC? HA.. "What's that dog gonna do GUM ME TO DEATH??"
PUT THE TEETH BACK IN THE DOG"S MOUTH !!! listening Mr POWELL ??
As for me..I'll abide by the laws because I want to set an example .. 73's phil
Posted by KU4AB on 2004-10-09

MGY Reply

Thanks for your comment. I still stand behind my comments.
Posted by W4MGY on 2004-10-08

FCC

FCC has the right basic format-----but the LOBBIST have the POL's in their control.
ie:
1. ATA keeps the truckers from being punished for MAX POWER violations.
2. The radio station indurstry is more concerned with sales than "CLEANIG UP" the Howard S type shows
3.BPL testing is not per the real desires of the FCC---just a "FAILPROOF TEST" to keep the public in the dark.

What a perfect world it would be if we could keep the Lobbist away from the POL's, the Pol's away from the FCC!! OH YEA----punish the LAYERS for their crimes.
Posted by N4RD on 2004-10-07

About W4MGY's Comments...

W4MGY:


The FCC's commissioners are currently made up of LAWYERS. I believe that at least one of them is also an engineer... but that discipline is, most likely, subservient to the politics of the position. We cannot agree with the commissioners all the time. All in all, the FCC is doing an OK job. In recent years, their direction concerning the BPL debacle is really the only I question.

Flames... what flames? Your rant's opening statement accurately defines “twisted logic” – emotions run rampant.

73 from one who is desperately seeking hear from reasonable registered voters – those who will cast votes based on issues and logic, in contrast to extreme emotional dislike or hate for a particular candidate. Find out where each prospective candidate stands on issues and factual records, and vote based on those. Make a business-like decision based on facts – not emotions and rhetoric. There’s too much at stake in this election, such as the general direction of our Country – the FCC, the Courts, our foreign policy and our U.S. Armed Forces as we know them.
Posted by NL7W on 2004-10-07

About W4MGY's Comments...

W4MGY:


The FCC's commissioners are currently made up of LAWYERS. I believe that at least one of them is also an engineer... but that discipline is, most likely, subservient to the politics of the position. We cannot agree with the commissioners all the time. All in all, the FCC is doing an OK job. In recent years, their direction concerning the BPL debacle is really the only I question.

Flames... what flames? Your rant's opening statement accurately defines “twisted logic” – emotions run rampant.

73 from one who is desperately seeking hear from reasonable registered voters – those who will cast votes based on issues and logic, in contrast to extreme emotional dislike or hate for a particular candidate. Find out where each prospective candidate stands on issues and factual records, and vote based on those. Make a business-like decision based on facts – not emotions and rhetoric. There’s too much at stake in this election, such as the general direction of our Country – the FCC, the Courts, our foreign policy and our U.S. Armed Forces as we know them.
Posted by NL7W on 2004-10-07

Another place

Tom, there actually is a ham radio website that invites free discussion on topics that aren't ham related at all...go to QRZ.com and to the "Talk and Opinions" section.

As long as contributors "keep it clean" and don't sling too much mud, the website owner allows all kinds of discussion, radio related or not.

Might pick this up there, because it really is enjoyable debating issues in an open forum where others can contribute. Kind of like being in a mediocre band at a biker bar, where you have to play behind a strong screen to avoid being hit with beer bottles.

(Hey, that was me! I remember those days...)

73

Steve WB2WIK/6
Posted by WB2WIK on 2004-10-06

Whatever!?!?!?!?!?!

Jeez!!!! I will be so glad when this darn election is over and one or the other party wins. That way we can have 3+ years of something else to talk about and bash each other up and down over. I am sick of hearing all the 'experts' opinions about who is responsible for whatever. Who cares. It's not like your going to make a difference unless you can persuade 20,000 or more people to agree with your beliefs. We're supposed to be ham radio operators, but seems that a lot of us have become political analyst and shade tree lawyers. Until the laws are changed (for better or worse), they're the laws we have to abide by. If you don't like it, run for office and work to change them. Or find a way to 'buy' a politician to get what you want (if you can afford it).
Posted by KI6LO on 2004-10-06

All I have to say has nothing to do with this thread but there isn't a better one so I'll post it here.

Bush is a weasel and every appointment of his is an idiot. The FCC runs under his watch, the FCC sucks and so does Bush.

I feel better already.
Posted by WIRELESS on 2004-10-06

The FCC

hey!!!!

You guys in the USA have it good compared to us up here in the north. Our Industry Canada SUCKS! I would like to use much more potent wording here but you get my point.

Example:
Ring - Ring - Hello this is Industry Canada - hello my name is Chris I am a radio op and my call is VO1AAC, I have a question about BPL in Canada - - - - -Hello - - - - - Hello - - beeeeeeeeeeeeep.






Posted by VO1AAC on 2004-10-06

The FCC

hey!!!!

You guys in the USA have it good compared to us up here in the north. Our Industry Canada SUCKS! I would like to use much more potent wording here but you get my point.

Example:
Ring - Ring - Hello this is Industry Canada - hello my name is Chris I am a radio op and my call is VO1AAC, I have a question about BPL in Canada - - - - -Hello - - - - - Hello - - beeeeeeeeeeeeep.






Posted by VO1AAC on 2004-10-06

The FCC

hey!!!!

You guys in the USA have it good compared to us up here in the north. Our Industry Canada SUCKS! I would like to use much more potent wording here but you get my point.

Example:
Ring - Ring - Hello this is Industry Canada - hello my name is Chris I am a radio op and my call is VO1AAC, I have a question about BPL in Canada - - - - -Hello - - - - - Hello - - beeeeeeeeeeeeep.






Posted by VO1AAC on 2004-10-06

The FCC

hey!!!!

You guys in the USA have it good compared to us up here in the north. Our Industry Canada SUCKS! I would like to use much more potent wording here but you get my point.

Example:
Ring - Ring - Hello this is Industry Canada - hello my name is Chris I am a radio op and my call is VO1AAC, I have a question about BPL in Canada - - - - -Hello - - - - - Hello - - beeeeeeeeeeeeep.






Posted by VO1AAC on 2004-10-06

???

Tom, I'm confused by your post.

What does religion have to do with broadcasting entertainment? I don't see even the weakest correlation there.

In any case, religion doesn't set human guidelines, standards or rules. If it did, we'd have utter chaos since there are dozens of religions with many conflicts.

"When you're dead one hundred years, you've just started being dead" is a powerful statement and one I live by.

WB2WIK/6
Posted by WB2WIK on 2004-10-05

???

Steve,

With all due respect, I'd be perfectly happy to discuss this further with you either by email (preferred) or in another post. I'm sure I've already tried the patience of some readers with my last post. Rereading it, I DID go off on quite a tangent. I apologize for that. Consequently, I don't believe it's a good idea to respond further here.

If you wish to discuss this further, please email me with your wishes and any conditions/limitations you wish to place on the discussions. I would be happy to talk with you further.

Thanks and 73 Tom KB5DPE

Posted by KB5DPE on 2004-10-05

"or in another post"
Sorry, I meant "in another thread"
That's what I get for trying to do too many things at the same time.

Tom
Posted by KB5DPE on 2004-10-05

Viacom and Flash Sunday

KB5DPE, I'm in agreement with W4MGY on this issue. I doubt Viacom will be paying the fine; but either way, I really believe it's a ridiculous reaction.

Yes, I've been to and watched TV all over Europe, South America and Japan, and our shows here are extremely "mild" compared with their programming. Doesn't seem to hurt any of their societies.

I have kids and satellite TV and have never even considered trying to "block" reception of anything, for my kids. There's nothing on television they don't already know about, or shouldn't know about. Shocking is only shocking when you've led a restricted life. I'm far more concerned about the violence on the TV news reports, which unfortunately isn't fiction.

WB2WIK/6
Posted by WB2WIK on 2004-10-04

<<KB5DPE, I'm in agreement with W4MGY on this issue. I doubt Viacom will be paying the fine; but either way, I really believe it's a ridiculous reaction>>

OK Steve,

I acknowledge your opinion and respect your right to it but I vehemently disagree with it. I strongly believe that seemingly unrelated behaviors interact to cause very unexpected results. Thus the need for religion. Religion is basically an "owner's manual" for the human race. It points out things that are not "intuitive" to many "users". I know I'm opening a can of worms here so I'll cut this short and hope that the fallout is not too severe. Any further discussion, if there is any, probably should be carried out as a personal discussion via email. I appreciate the courteous response, though I would expect nothing less than that from you. Forgive my indulgence in philosophical discussions, in my college days I would spend hours in impromptu discussions like this though I realize that this is not the time or place for it.

73 Tom KB5DPE
Posted by KB5DPE on 2004-10-04

FCC

**If Howard Stern wants use the F-word, or some redneck says the N-word, so be it. If someone is offended, you got 2 knobs, and 14,000 stations to choose from. As long as a station meets all the technical requirements to have a license, that alone should be the only concern of the FCC**

W4MGY,

I stand by my original post. You haven't a clue about the effects of this rubbish on society nor are you likely to learn. You, and people that think like you are too busy indulging your own senses to give a rat's *** about what's good for society. Keep it up. My days in this world are nearly over. You, presumably, will be here long enough to reap what you sow. You will see the error of your ways.

73 Tom KB5DPE
Posted by KB5DPE on 2004-10-03

The FCC

**Then again, it's a silly fine in response to a non-event. If anyone spent 30 seconds deliberating what to do in response to the Superbowl Flash, they wasted 30 seconds.**

Steve,

I guess it had to happen. This is the first post of yours that I've read, that I disagree with. I've always thought of you as a mentor and an oasis of common sense in some very troubling posts.

I am delighted that the FCC FINALLY stood up for common decency and common sense in levying these fines. In my opinion, they are miniscule compared to what they ought to have been; but, I think they were the maximum permitted by existing law.

I believe, like some other factions that shall remain nameless, that government DOES have a vested interest in maintaining public decency and moderate social values, though I strongly disagree with those factions regarding the method for enforcing this.

The nice thing about this country is that, whatever is wrong with it, it can be fixed by legal, democratic process, no matter how many politicians are on the take. It may just take a little longer.

In just about 30 days, everyone on this forum and in the whole country can advance the process of fixing what they see as being wrong. Are YOU going to miss that opportunity?


73 Tom KB5DPE

Posted by KB5DPE on 2004-10-02

Last post

Why did my post appear three times? This has happened before. What am I doing wrong? If anyone can help me to avoid this in the future please email me at callsign@arrl.net
Thanks
Posted by KB5DPE on 2004-10-02

The FCC

We are going to have an election and I will vote for anyone but Bush. The quicker Michael Powell is sent packing, the better. Do you really think the FCC gives much more than a rat's ass about ham radio? If it wasn't for Riley Hollingsworth, we hams would have been falling off the screen at the FCC years ago. I give Riley credit for trying to bring some sane enforcement to ham radio. But Powell and Company is going to let BPL become enough of a reality that it will destroy ham radio as we know it. Remember who is pulling Micheal's strings...the cowboy from Crawford, Texas. Powell and his Republican cohorts are for big business, and big money. The record is clear, they are willing to bend over to let outfits like Clear Channel gobble up AM and FM stations just to keep stock holders happey. Do you really think Clear Channel is in the business to serve the people? Public be damned, give 'em the same old cookie cutter pablem and horsecrap it has been dishing out for the last 8 years. The FCC was once respected for it's technical acumen, and how it delt with technical matters. Remember the old FCC axim of PICOM - Public, Interest, Convience or Neccessity? That was back when the FCC was run by some real radio engineers, not just a pack of lawyers and bean counters like it is now. To those who think the FCC is doing it's job by fining Infinity/Viacom $550,000 for the Janet Jackson costume malfunction, get real, and get over it. We need to get over the idiotic and hypocrical Victorian Age sensitivities that Americans have about sex! Some people act like the world came crashing down just because of a fear that some 10 year old is going to see 2 seconds of some woman's breasts. Have you ever been to Europe? Folks over there are not shocked by sexual things as we are. Hell, bare brests barely even get noticed! What really stinks is the FCC is going to fine only the stations owned by CBS/Viacom. How about the other 200 CBS TV affiliates who carried the same event? If that is the case, CBS should contest the fine. As one who has worked both sides of the mike for a living, I have long been a supporter of free radio and freedom of speech. If Howard Stern wants use the F-word, or some redneck says the N-word, so be it. If someone is offended, you got 2 knobs, and 14,000 stations to choose from. As long as a station meets all the technical requirements to have a license, that alone should be the only concern of the FCC; not this silly business of censoring Radio or TV programs. Before you think of flaming me for my openions, I do support quality broadcasting with NPR and PBS who do a fine job. But for those who don't care for public broadcasting; what we have for commercial radio and TV in this country really sucks. The FCC had nothing to do with it. I left the broadcast trade 10 years ago because I knew then the quality of programming was going to the dogs. That's the way I see it
Posted by W4MGY on 2004-10-02

Lost Vision

Over the last fifty years it looks like the FCC has pretty much lost its organizational vision as a regulator of the aether, and has instead become just another advertising button for powerful politicians and corporate lobbyists to push.

There are still exceptions to that, Riley Hollingsworth being one of them. Nobody is going to be happy with everything he has done, but he has tried to return this division of the FCC to its original role as a shepherd instead of just a paid gatekeeper (or worse).

If BPL is an example of the future of the FCC, we can look for continued pandering to corporate interests and downplaying of technical issues as long as somebody powerful is going to make a lot of money from FCC decisions.

There was a time that I had a lot of respect for the Powell clan ... it's a pity that both father and son will be remembered for stifling their consciences and wearing blinders.
Posted by K4IQT on 2004-09-29

biting the hand that keys them

THE FCC SHOULD GET OFF OF THEIR COLLECTIVE "DUFFS" AND TRY TO AFTER THE REAL CRIMINALS IN THE US NOT US TAXPAYERS....THEY COULD GO AFTER THE DRUG DEALERS WHO USE CELLPHONES TO COMMIT A CRIME. NOT SOME ONE RUNNING OUT OF BAND ON HIS CB. oH WELL WE HAVE TO GET THE IRS IN LINE FIRST BUT LOOK OUT FCC YOU ARE NEXT

LOWTECH LOU
Posted by LOWTECHLOU on 2004-09-28

Depends....

Hey lou, (or is it mike?)

How's the weather in Memphis? got some friends flying their right now, they sold a plane to someone just east of memphis.... oh, and we have rules. thankfully there are rules for radios, doing what you said is against the rules and it falls under what we the U.S. tell the FCC that they need to enforce.

anyway... the FCC does a good job, when they decide to. unfortunatly sometimes they drag their feet way too much and pay too much attention to money instead of common sense. but over all a fairly effective bunch.
Posted by KD7EVS on 2004-09-28

The FCC

The FCC's New York Field Office must be about as lame as it gets! There's been a jammer harassing people on various UHF repeaters for the last year in the NY Metro area and the FCC has done nothing about it. They know who it is, they just don't bother to take care of the problem. I for one am giving up on ham radio and I know it has chased a lot of people away. I figure that the FCC and it's head political cronnie Mr. Powel are only interested in selling off what ever spectrun they can so they can line their pockets.
Posted by K2EPM on 2004-09-27

BPL

I thought the FCC were supporting BPL over in the states??

If they are then they suck!


Posted by MW0KIK on 2004-09-26

FCC

The FCC has allot more things to be concerned about then the feelings of some old tired ass ham radio operators that do nothing but moan about code and BPL...
Posted by GHOSTRIDERHF on 2004-09-26

It's a good thing...

If the FCC's bite was worse than it's bark, we would have been shut down as a hobby / service the minute the special interest favors from the BPL lobby were promised to the head politicians at the FCC. So maybe sometimes it's a good thing that they aren't as effective as they could be. 73 :)
Posted by KT0DD on 2004-09-24

...

"It’s run by republicans ; nothing more need be said.

Gene, K1ZF"

There's a typical liberal... good Lord, I thought this was a ham site!
Posted by NEW_TECH on 2004-09-24

What The FCC Cares About!

The FCC does not care about radio services, they collect their money from GMRS, but they don't get much from Hams.. Thats the big thing about it.. I am surprised they have not started charging $75 every five years for Ham radio licenses!


Posted by KD5OWO on 2004-09-24

The FCC is great!

(no one else said that yet)
Posted by SWL_HAM on 2004-09-24

FCC

The FCC has always been run by political appointees.
Posted by KG6AMW on 2004-09-23

CBS fine announced

I don't know about bark or bite, but it will be interesting to see if CBS ever has to pay the $550,000 fine just invoked upon them by the FCC yesterday.

My bet is, "Probably not."

Then again, it's a silly fine in response to a non-event. If anyone spent 30 seconds deliberating what to do in response to the Superbowl Flash, they wasted 30 seconds.

WB2WIK/6
Posted by WB2WIK on 2004-09-23

The FCC

Well one thing is painfully obvious, they (the FCC) are doing nothing worthwhile about truckers operating in the 10M band.
Posted by N4VNV on 2004-09-23

Huh??

Steve,

Algore said he invented the internet!

Do you think that a member of the
Clinton Administration would tell
a lie?????

:-)

73 de Ronnie
Posted by WA4MJF on 2004-09-23

Poor Al Gore

Al said a lot of dumb things over the years. But he *never* claimed to have "invented" the Internet. He said he was instrumental in the development of the net, and, by pushing the legislation funding NSFnet, he was.


Posted by AE6IP on 2004-09-23

The FCC

"The FCC talks about what all they are going to do, but they never do it. They need to take action against people like K1MAN and VE7KFM "

When did the FCC acquire jurisdiction over Canada (VE7KFM)?

73,

Carl - W9PMZ
Posted by W9PMZ on 2004-09-22

Something about money changers and a Temple?

I sincerely believe that any Government Organization that has both the job of promotion and regulation of any public activity eventually starts to follow the money.

Dennis / KG4RUL
Posted by KG4RUL on 2004-09-22

No Monitoring = No Teeth

The FCC is now run by lawyers...the most notable one we always hear about sending out "letters". We read these letters and think: "wow, now there's enforcement!".

In the Old Days, the FCC had actual manned Field Offices with Field Engineers (real, live people). They had monitoring stations manned by (you guessed it)...real, live people. Any enforcement action was based on actual field monitoring, measurements and on-site visits.

Now...we have "letters", letters generated by third-party rumor, inuendo etc. I don't know how any of it can stand up in court.

Worst offense by our wonderful Commission is the fact that billions of dollars generated by frequency sales/auctions will never see the light of day in the area of enforcement and personnel in the Field.

This agency and all that it stands for is a joke....typical of most gov't agencies these days: the frontline field workers have been replaced by paper-pushers and deskjockeys in Washington. Visit any of our National Parks and the rangers will tell you the same thing.
You could visit any of the FCC Field Offices and the Field Engineers would tell you the same thing....but they haven't been around for over a decade!
Posted by WPE9JRL on 2004-09-22

The FCC

"It’s run by republicans ; nothing more need be said."

What a crock!
So the FCC was a raging pit bull during the 12 years of democrat administrations in the last 30 years, most of those with the closet pinkos controlling both houses of congress?

Get some counseling.


Posted by AC0H on 2004-09-22

Run by Republicans?

Excuse me - wasn't Powell apointed by Clinton?

Get off the Bush bashing!
Posted by K4IA on 2004-09-22

The Bite

Of course the bite, as it relates to amateur
radio could turn out to be the FCC's
fostering of BPL. That could turn out to be
a real BIG bite.


Posted by K3UD on 2004-09-22

FCC

No wonder we have BPL. The FCC is run by Powell Jr. The country is run by Bush Jr. Two bad leaders. The result? Your town's QRMing ISP will be Halliburton On-Line. And don't even get me started about HDTV...
Posted by N3EG on 2004-09-22

What bite?

Even the worst offenders, who are actully caught, end up with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. I recently read that one offenders' fine was waived in exchange for giving up his amateur license for five years. What???? This guy was breaking the law with a valid licence to begin with. Does the FCC really think he will stop his illegal behavior without a license???
Posted by NEWBIE2004 on 2004-09-22


"No wonder we have BPL. The FCC is run by Powell Jr. The country is run by Bush Jr. Two bad leaders."

Factually incorrect.

BPL in this country got started by the man who invented the internet all by himself. That most famous of RF and networking engineers, ALGore.

Posted by AC0H on 2004-09-22

The FCC

The FCC does a good job. They are the ONLY governmental agency I know of (regional OR national) that tempers their authority with the concept of giving the licensee the benefit of the doubt. I suspect that most of the complainers here would sing a different tune if THEY were on the receiving end of an enforcement action. It's very easy to point a finger at the "next guy" and pronounce what "their" punishment ought to be but much more difficuly to accept the same. Since my return to amateur radio, it has been my observation that the FCC has been active, fair and effective in their oversight of amateur radio. Yes, I agree that Riley could use some helpers in his efforts, but, are YOU willing to pay the taxes required to pay those salaries? It's very easy to sit back in that chair at your computer and throw rocks at anyone and everyone that doesn't do things YOUR way; but much more difficult to pay the price for enabling your representatives to do so.

Tom KB5DPE
Posted by KB5DPE on 2004-09-22

The FCC

I have called / emailed Riley about a problem or two in the past, not only was the problem not addressed Riley wasn't even polite enough to send an email saying " we aint doin nuthin" or even acknowledging my complaint...Typical of government in action.
Posted by N4JBK on 2004-09-22

The FCC

I have called / emailed Riley about a problem or two in the past, not only was the problem not addressed Riley wasn't even polite enough to send an email saying " we aint doin nuthin" or even acknowledging my complaint...Typical of government in action.
Posted by N4JBK on 2004-09-22

The FCC

One must remember how trhe government works. They do as little as possible to keep up the appearance of being important and vital. They are structured as a "make work" entity. They are constantly looking for ways to make more work to create positions and thereby creating promotions within the ranks. Doesn't mean they do anything just make positions.
Posted by N0FQN on 2004-09-22

More Comments!

{"The FCC talks about what all they are going to do, but they never do it. They need to take action against people like K1MAN and VE7KFM "

When did the FCC acquire jurisdiction over Canada (VE7KFM)?

73,

Carl - W9PMZ}

@ Carl

I put people "LIKE" VE7KFM, not VE7KFM himself.. there are several guys on 14.313 that act just liek VE7KFM, and those are American stations that can be stopped by the FCC..

@ AC0H

We all know Al Gore did not invent the internet..

The FCC is going to give up on Amateur Radio like it gave up on CB... That is why it is up to the hams to care and do what is right on the air..

73'
+Steve/KD5OWO
Posted by KD5OWO on 2004-09-22

Another ignorant survey

the only thing more ignorant are the responses to the stupid answer selections.
Posted by WB4M on 2004-09-22

The FCC

The FCC was a better agency of the government when the engineers were more prominent in its operation. Now it is run by politicians. However, I would be sure I was on firm ground before I'd tangle with them. We'd all be a lot better off if they were firm and unyielding when it came to enforcement. To that end and insofar as it goes, I was pleased to see Riley step onto the stage.
Posted by WA4DOU on 2004-09-21

The FCC

Yep, I too
noted the passing of the
Engineer in Charge. Now they
have some sorta District Director.
They don't seem to do much.

Too bad we can't get EICs of the
like of JJ Freeman, W4JJ SK, back in charge
Posted by WA4MJF on 2004-09-21

No Monitoring = No Teeth

The FCC is now run by lawyers...the most notable one we always hear about sending out "letters". We read these letters and think: "wow, now there's enforcement!".

In the Old Days, the FCC had actual manned Field Offices with Field Engineers (real, live people). They had monitoring stations manned by (you guessed it)...real, live people. Any enforcement action was based on actual field monitoring, measurements and on-site visits.

Now...we have "letters", letters generated by third-party rumor, inuendo etc. I don't know how any of it can stand up in court.

Worst offense by our wonderful Commission is the fact that billions of dollars generated by frequency sales/auctions will never see the light of day in the area of enforcement and personnel in the Field.

This agency and all that it stands for is a joke....typical of most gov't agencies these days: the frontline field workers have been replaced by paper-pushers and deskjockeys in Washington. Visit any of our National Parks and the rangers will tell you the same thing.
You could visit any of the FCC Field Offices and the Field Engineers would tell you the same thing....but they haven't been around for over a decade!
Posted by WPE9JRL on 2004-09-21

The FCC

The FCC talks about what all they are going to do, but they never do it. They need to take action against people like K1MAN and VE7KFM and other Lids on the air. They need to get those people in LA that want to talk about Jock Straps.

How long must this go on?
Posted by KD5OWO on 2004-09-21

The FCC

Old dog ...no teeth ....
Posted by N9AVY on 2004-09-21

FCC

If you have a problem contact Riley with it and he will do something about it. He has helped us here locally with two such problems. If you sit on your ass and just complain and never contact him then naturally nothing will be done. He is just one man though and his job consists of more than just amateur radio. We need more like him.
73
John WR8D
Posted by WR8D on 2004-09-21

The FCC

The only way the FCC will ever be the enforcement power it once was, would be to bring back the nationwide monitoring stations. We keep hearing about budget cuts and how broke the government is blah blah blah...what a crock of bull! If the USA has billions of dollars to throw away in some third world cesspool like Iraq, then why dont we have money to monitor our own amateur bands??? Perhaps if we did away with some of the dead wood up in Washington raking in millions a year for sitting in a plush office doing nothing...there would be plenty of money available to monitor our bands again. Instead the FCC expects one man to do this task by himself, and act based on heresay and third party information thats most likely unreliable and even based on lies. Ridiculous!
Posted by KE4ZHN on 2004-09-21

The FCC

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the FCC
seems to be all for "Broadband for the masses" BPL. If it DIDN'T interfere so badly with HF communications, I'd be all for it too. I'm beginning to get the feeling they have let the "have nots" rule their logic.
It's a shame. They should be fighting against it.
Posted by WX4O on 2004-09-21

FCC

It’s run by republicans ; nothing more need be said.

Gene, K1ZF

Posted by K1ZF on 2004-09-21

where are they?

Two weeks ago I heard a strong signal that was tuning up the bands from 160 meters. It was moving up at about 1KHz per second and went up the frequency without regard as to what the frequency was assigned to. I called the FCC to make a report. No luck. I was told to send an email. I asked how that would help since the signal was moving and may be gone when done. There was no other suggestion made. I do remember when you could call a field ofice and they would immediately monitor the frequnecy to hear what I heard. Where are they now? We can still need them. Riley can't do it all.
73
Frank
KL7IPV
Posted by KL7IPV on 2004-09-21

Reminds me of Homer Simpson

Like Homer Simpson said in one episode to Marge, "You say that so much its lost all meaning." Homer's quote reminds me of the FCC.
Posted by KC0KBH on 2004-09-21

FCC

You get what you pay for.
Posted by WU7X on 2004-09-21