FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ENFORCEMENT BUREAU WESTERN REGION Los Angeles Office 18000 Studebaker Road, Suite 660 Cerritos, CA 90703 January 15, 2010 Charles Forssi Lompoc, CA NOTICE OF UNLICENSED OPERATION Case Number: EB-09-LA-0165 Document Number: W201032900004 The Los Angeles Office received information that an unlicensed broadcast radio station on 1610 kHz was allegedly operating in Lompoc, California. On December 9, 2009, agents from this office confirmed by direction finding techniques that radio signals on frequency 1610 kHz were emanating from your residence in Lompoc, California. The Commission’s records show that no license was issued for operation of a broadcast station at this location on 1610 kHz in Lompoc, California. Radio stations must be licensed by the FCC pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 301. One exception to this licensing requirement is for certain transmitters using or operating at a power level 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 1610 kHz was measured at 350 microvolts per meter (µV/m) at 75 meters, which exceeded the maximum permitted level of 14.9 µV/m (24,000/1610) at 30 meters established in Section 15.209(a) of the Rules. (See 47 C.F.R. §15.209(a)). Another exception, for some transmitters operating in the 510 kHz to 1705 kHz band, is found in 47 C.F.R. § 15.219. Specifically, Section 15.219(b) of the Rules states: “the total length of the transmission line, antenna and ground lead (if used) shall not exceed 3 meters.” (See 47 C.F.R. §15.219(b)). During the inspection on December 9, 2009, the agents observed that the total length of the transmission line and the antenna in use significantly exceeded three meters. This installation violated Section 15.219(b) of the Rules. 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 of this illegal operation to severe penalties, including, but not limited to, substantial monetary forfeitures, 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. Nader Haghighat District Director Los Angeles Office Western Region Enforcement Bureau Attachments: Excerpts from the Communications Act of 1934, As Amended Enforcement Bureau, "Inspection Fact Sheet," March 2005