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WASHINGTON, DC, Oct 8, 1998--The FCC has levied a $2500 fine on a Florida ham for malicious interference on a business radio service frequency. Jeffrey G. Guss, KF4MWT, of Palm Bay, Florida, was cited by the Commission following an investigation of several months that also involved malicious interference to an amateur repeater.
In February 1997, the FCC's Tampa office responded to complaints of unauthorized transmissions containing foul language and threats on 154.6 MHz. Agents tracked the transmissions to Guss's residence the following month. Guss showed agents a hand-held incapable of 154.6 MHz operation plus a scanner, and he denied having equipment that could transmit on 154.6 MHz. In addition to his amateur license, Guss holds a Land Mobile Radio Service license.
The FCC sent Guss a warning letter regarding the unlicensed operation on 154.6 that had been traced to his residence, but Guss failed to reply as required.
Later that year, the Tampa office responded to complaints of malicious interference to an amateur repeater used by the Palm Bay volunteer police force. Using DF gear, agents tracked the transmissions to a mobile source and ultimately spotted Guss riding in the bed of a pick-up truck. Guss denied knowledge of the transmissions on the amateur repeater, but when agents asked to inspect his amateur station, they found a hand-held transceiver that transmitted on 154.6 MHz. They also spotted what appeared to be an RF linear inside a vehicle Guss owns, but he refused permission to inspect it.
An Official Notice of Violation went out last September, but Guss again failed to reply as required. Last February, the Tampa office issued a Notice of Apparent Liability to Guss for unlicensed operation on 154.6 MHz, for failing to permit inspection of radio equipment in his van, and for failing to respond to the FCC's correspondence.
An FCC review of the circumstances upheld the initial findings in the case. A Forfeiture Order released October 7 ordered Guss to pay the $2500 fine within 30 days. There is no indication in the order that Guss's amateur or land-mobile licenses will be jeopardized, however.
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