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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
ENFORCEMENT BUREAU
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Dallas Office
9330 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1170
Dallas, Texas 75243
March 24, 2016
Emerald Cove Resort
3495 Farm to Market 276
Milam, TX 75959
NOTICE OF UNLICENSED OPERATION
Case Number: EB-FIELDSCR-16-00021181
Document Number: W20163250004
On January 13, 2016, in response to a complaint from Cellular One of radio frequency interference (RFI)
affecting the frequency range of 830.3MHz to 834.4 MHz in Milam TX, an agent from this office
investigated the source of the RFI. On January 14, 2015, Ms. Cindy Todd of Emerald Cove Resort, Gary,
Texas 75643 admitted that she owned a Bi-Directional amplifier (BDA). Ms. Todd disconnected the
power from the BDA. The interference ceased. On March 4, 2016, the RFI was back. On March 6, the
interference ceased. On March 15, 2016, the RFI was back again and is still active. The Commission’s
records show that no license has been issued to Emerald Cove Resort for operation of this station from
this location in Milam, Texas.
The Commission limits the use of both Consumer Signal Boosters and Industrial Signal Boosters by
requiring the signal booster operator, in the case of a Consumer Signal Booster, to obtain the consent of
the licensee providing service to the subscriber,
1
or, in the case of an Industrial Signal Booster, to obtain
1
See 47 C.F.R. § 20.21(a). Section20.21(a) of the Rules states that a “subscriber in good standing of a commercial
mobile radio service system may operate a Consumer Signal Booster for personal use under the authorization held
by the licensee providing service to the subscriber provided that the subscriber complies with paragraphs (a)(1)
through (6). Failure to comply with all applicable rules in this section and all applicable technical rules for the
frequency band(s) of operation voids the authority to operate the Consumer Signal Booster.
(1) Prior to operation, the subscriber obtains the consent of the licensee providing service to the subscriber;
(2) Prior to operation, the subscriber registers the Consumer Signal Booster with the licensee providing service
to the subscriber;
(3) The subscriber only operates the Consumer Signal Booster with approved antennas, cables, and/or coupling
devices as specified by the manufacturer of the Consumer Signal Booster;
(4) The subscriber operates the Consumer Signal Booster on frequencies used for the provision of subscriber-
based services under parts 22 (Cellular), 24 (Broadband PCS), 27 (AWS–1, 700 MHz Lower A–E Blocks, and 700
MHz Upper C Block), and 90 (Specialized Mobile Radio) of this chapter. Operation on part 90 (Specialized Mobile
Radio) frequencies is permitted upon the Commission's release of a public notice announcing the date Consumer
Signal Boosters may be used in the band;
(5) The Consumer Signal Booster complies with paragraphs (e), (f), (g), and (h) of this section and § 2.907 of
this chapter; and
(6) The subscriber may not deactivate any features of the Consumer Signal Booster which are designed to
prevent harmful interference to wireless networks. These features must be enabled and operating at all times the
signal booster is in use.”
47 C.F.R. § 20.21(a).
2an FCC license or the express consent of the licensee(s) whose frequencies are being retransmitted by the
device.
2
In either scenario, the operation of the signal booster is only “on a secondary, non-interference
basis to primary services licensed for the frequency bands on which they transmit, and to primary services
licensed for the adjacent frequency bands that might be affected by their transmissions.”
3
Operation of radio transmitting equipment without a valid FCC authorization or license is a violation of
Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
4
and may subject the responsible parties to
substantial monetary forfeitures.
5
Because unlicensed operation creates a danger of interference to
important radio communications services and may subject the operator to severe penalties, this notice
emphasizes the importance of complying strictly with these legal requirements.
Please respond within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice with information: 1) showing that the
Resort has authority granted by the FCC to operate a signal booster; 2) showing that the Resort has
obtained consent from a commercial mobile radio licensee to operate a signal booster; or 3) that the
Resort is no longer operating a signal booster. In addition, provide an explanation as to what has been
done to correct the interference issue and to ensure that it will not recur; provide the equipment
authorization for the equipment involved; and identify the make, model and serial number of each piece
of equipment including the antennas if applicable.
Your response should be sent to the address in the letterhead and reference the listed case and document
number. Under the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a(e)(3), we are informing you that the
Commission’s staff will use all relevant material information before it to determine what, if any,
enforcement action is required to ensure your compliance with FCC Rules. This will include any
information that you disclose in your reply.
You may contact this office if you have any questions.
Ronald Ramage
Regional Director
Attachments:
Excerpts from the Communications Act of 1934, As Amended
Enforcement Bureau, "Inspection Fact Sheet", March 2005
Consumer Guide, “Information for Consumers Who Own Signal Boosters”, February 26, 2013
2
See 47 C.F.R. § 20.21(c). Section 20.21(c) of the Rules states that “an individual or non-individual, other than a
representative of a foreign government, may operate an Industrial Signal Booster provided that the individual or
non-individual: (1) Has an FCC license or obtains the express consent of the licensee(s) whose frequencies are being
retransmitted by the device on a regular basis, and (2) Uses an Industrial Signal Booster which complies with
paragraph (f) of this section.” 47 C.F.R. § 20.21(c). Section 20.21(f) of the Rules details Signal Booster labeling
requirements. See 47 C.F.R. § 20.21(f).
3
See 47 C.F.R. § 20.21(d). “Operation of signal boosters under this section is on a secondary, non-interference basis
to primary services licensed for the frequency bands on which they transmit, and to primary services licensed for the
adjacent frequency bands that might be affected by their transmissions. (1) The operation of signal boosters must
not cause harmful interference to the communications of any primary licensed service. (2) Upon request of an FCC
representative or a licensee experiencing harmful interference, a signal booster operator must: (i) Cooperate in
determining the source of the interference, and (ii) If necessary, deactivate the signal booster immediately, or as
soon as practicable, if immediate deactivation is not possible.”
4
See 47 U.S.C. § 301.
5
See 47 U.S.C. §§ 401, 501, 503, 510.