Report No. CI 99-6   COMPLIANCE & INFORMATION ACTION  February 8, 1999


               FCC CLOSES AN UNLICENSED RADIO STATION 
                 IN PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA

     The FCC, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service and the United States Attorney's
Office, seized radio transmission equipment used in the operation of an unlicensed FM radio
station in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on January 15, 1999.

     The illegal radio station was operating on FM frequency 93.3 MHz.  The FCC determined
that the unlicensed radio station was operating at power levels as high as 11,543 times in excess
of permitted power levels for non-licensed broadcasting.

     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