Report No. CI 98-20    COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATION ACTION        November 9, 1998


      FCC CLOSES AN UNLICENSED RADIO STATION IN PITTSBURGH

     The FCC, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshal's Service and the United States Attorney's Office,
seized radio transmission equipment used in the operation of an unlicensed FM radio station in  Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania on October 28, 1998.

     The illegal radio station was operating on frequency 91.7 MHz.  The FCC determined that the
unlicensed radio station was operating at power levels as high as 3,809,750 times in excess of permitted
power levels for unlicensed broadcasting.  The seizure of the equipment followed FCC warnings to the
operator about the unauthorized operations, and attempts by the Commission's agents to have the station
voluntarily discontinue broadcast transmissions.

     The FCC urges operators of all unlicensed stations to voluntarily cease their illegal broadcasting
operations.  Unlicensed or unauthorized operation of a radio transmitter or station (AM, FM, International
Short Wave and TV) is a violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C.  301.  Under the Communications Act, violators may be subject to penalties up to $11,000 and
the equipment used is subject to seizure and forfeiture by court order.  Unlicensed operators also could be
subject to criminal fines of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year, or both, for a first-time
offense.

                                                             -FCC-

News media contact:  David H. Fiske at (202) 418-0500.
Compliance and Information Bureau contact: Pamera Hairston at (202) 418-1160; TTY (888) 835-5322