[RadioRay]

From www.fcc.gov news! In a continuing effort, the FCC has warned another company to stop its drivers from transmitting illegally on 10 Meters. There are more to follow! :wink:


FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Enforcement Bureau
Spectrum Enforcement Division
1270 Fairfield Road
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325-7245

October 10, 2006

Sysco Corporation
1390 Enclave Highway
Houston, TX 77077-2099
ATTN: Marty Tampano, Risk Manager

Subject: Warning Notice -- Unlicensed Radio Operation


Dear Mr. Tampano:

Information before the Commission indicates that two of your drivers were the source of radio transmissions on the Ten Meter Amateur Radio band (28.115 MHz) on August 11 and 18, 2006 on the route between Alanson and Grand Rapids, MI.

Please be advised that operation of radio transmitting equipment without a license is a violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Section 301, and will subject drivers to fine or imprisonment, as well as an in rem seizure of any non-certified radio transmitting equipment, in cooperation with the United States Attorney for your jurisdiction. Monetary forfeitures normally range from $7,500 to $10,000.


Please contact me at 717-338-2502 to discuss this matter.

cc: FCC Northeastern Regional Office

[Truckfam]

Is that a normal CB channel truckers talk on?

[yoopr]

Channel 19 is the norm with the exception of Dividing lines in California.

[Truckfam]

Thanks Yooper

[century451]

Thats the 10 meter band in the Ham radio frequencys

[Jackrabbit379]

Hmmmm. Sounds like to me,a couple of SYSCO drivers got caught yackin on a 10 meter. :P

[RadioRay]

Unfortunately, Sysco isn't the only one. This has become a common practice among drivers dating back several years. It is caused by those
so-called "10 Meter 'Amateur'" radios sold in truck stops and CB shops. Shops convert the radios over to CB leaving the 10 Meter band intact. They have "band" switches which gives the impression that there are 'extra' channels drivers can use! The drivers end up on the 10 Meter ham band thinking they have found a 'quiet' channel to chat on. The licensed hams then cruise the interstates in their daily travels and, hearing illegal transmissions on their frequencies, they RECORD, document and REPORT drivers talking on 28 MHZ! :shock: FCC then issues their company a STERN order to call them right away to discuss the matter. Drivers have been FIRED for this, and companies are warned by FCC to remove the "export" radios with the "extree" channels or face fines if caught again! It usually results in the company issuing a policy memo to all drivers banning such equipment in their fleet under threat of dismissal. Really, it isn't worth it to have these things in the trucks; they ARE illegal to SELL (by the vendors) and illegal to use 1) on CB channels because they are not approved for such use, and 2) illegal for UNLICENSED persons to transmit with other bands.

Let your friends know that this is a REAL threat from FCC *if* they happen to be the one caught operating "export" radios in their trucks.

Thanks and drive safely!!

RR

[Markk9]

The letter to the company is just a scare tactic. You could never prove in court of law, who was transmitting. Next the government would not spend the money to prove who was transmitting.

Before you say it, the defense attorney will dismiss any jury members with a ham back round.

Mark

[century451]

Well I know for a fact the FCC can prove who is breaking those freqs. Go to the FCC website and research violations and the outcomes. People track offending signals and document them as does the FCC run down those signals. Go busting the bands on a daily basis and I am sure you might find out how easy it is to find you........ Just my 2 cents

[Deus]

Originally Posted by Markk9

The letter to the company is just a scare tactic. You could never prove in court of law, who was transmitting. Next the government would not spend the money to prove who was transmitting.

Before you say it, the defense attorney will dismiss any jury members with a ham back round.

Mark

You are nuts. My dad has the highest class ham license you can get. There are stories all the time in the ham magizines. Sure it might not hold up in court if someone just tatles on them, but the FCC *does* set up stings and they can triangulate your location based on signal strength and direction.

While they may not spend big bucks doing this, it is kind of like the IRS where only 1 or 2% of the population will get audited every year.

Sure sucks when you're the one though.