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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
| Report No. CI 98-15 | COMPLIANCE & INFORMATION ACTION | August 28, 1998 |
FCC CLOSES FOUR UNLICENSED RADIO STATIONS IN CLEVELAND
The illegal radio stations were using the following unauthorized call signs and frequencies: "WMRC" on 88.1 MHz; "WSPL" on 90.7 MHz; "WSLR" on 93.7 MHz, and "WPRC" on 91.9 MHz. The seizure of the equipment followed FCC warnings to the operators about the unauthorized operations, and attempts by the Commission's agents to have the stations voluntarily discontinue transmissions.
The radio stations were operating at power levels ranging from 1,300 to over 7,000 times in excess of authorized power levels for low power broadcasting. Transmissions from one of the stations, "WSPL" were found to be causing spurious signals on frequencies in the aviation band.
The FCC urged 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 of up to $11,000 and equipment 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.
News Media contact: David H. Fiske at (202) 418-0500.
Compliance and Information Bureau contact: Pamera Hairston at (202) 418-1160