On Tue, 31 May 2005 10:32:10 -0400, I AmnotGeorgeBush wrote:


Leland is confused.

Strong opinions, yes, confused, no.

Contrary to what he claimed, sooner or later people
do NOT get nailed for such actions. Listen to the cb, channel 6 or any
other channel where dx is rampant.

There's no DX in that sense on the GMRS frequencies.

A quick peep into the records of the
FCC busts reveals the way things really are. Leland likes to cite the
exception and -not-the norm of how the feds operate.

Perhaps, but he is looking to use it in a business setting. You operate
your marine rig without an FCC license by the way? And if you don't, why?
I'm just asking for the heck of it.

Even if you were to
get the attention of the feds and get "nailed", you must be served with
a warning notice alerting you to the violation and an order to cease the
illegal activity, as Leland's examples cite. In fact, most cited are
guilty of repeat offenses after receiving multiple warnings.

True enough, they do try to give people a break before they impose any
fines. The idea is to give them a chance to clean up their act. Some don't
and some plain don't care, that's when when they get to make a
contribution to the US Treasury. And if that doesn't work, then some free
room and board for several years at government expense is next. It's much
better not to let things even get to the point of a warning letter.

The chances
of getting busted are slim to slimmer unless someone complains.

This is where I have to disagree to an extend. There are licensed
users on the channels who are not going to be happy with unlicensed
operation. Remember the licensed uses "paid for their right", by receiving
a license from the FCC, to use those channels. On the combo FRS/GMRS
channels its hard to tell who is or is not licensed. On the strictly GMRS
channels any unlicensed operation is going to stick out like a sore thumb.
And the licensed people do complain to the FCC because they don't want the
sort of unlicensed activity on the combo channels spreading to the GMRS
only channels. When people have to identify themselves they tend to act
better on the air.

Even
then, the feds must actually witness any violation before any action
other than a warning notice is issued.

By the time you get the warning letter they tape recordings etc. already.
They don't issue a warning letter unless they, the FCC, is first satisfied
a violation had already occurred. Why do you think they aways request
tapes etc. from people filing a complaint with the FCC? Read some of the
FCC warning letters. You'll see where they state they have recordings etc.
already just to make a point with some violators.

Anyway he should have enough opinions by now from all sides to make an
informed choice.

Regards,

Leland C. Scott
KC8LDO