Posted on 01/17/2021 3:46:04 PM PST by gwjack
WARNING: AMATEUR AND PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES LICENSEES AND OPERATORS MAY NOT USE RADIO EQUIPMENT TO COMMIT OR FACILITATE CRIMINAL ACTS
The Enforcement Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission issues this Enforcement Advisory to remind licensees in the Amateur Radio Service, as well as licensees and operators in the Personal Radio Services, that the Commission prohibits the use of radios in those services to commit or facilitate criminal acts.
The Bureau has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the Commission may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities. The Bureau recognizes that these services can be used for a wide range of permitted purposes, including speech that is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Amateur and Personal Radio Services, however, may not be used to commit or facilitate crimes.
Specifically, the Bureau reminds amateur licensees that they are prohibited from transmitting “communications intended to facilitate a criminal act” or “messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning.”1 Likewise, individuals operating radios in the Personal Radio Services, a category that includes Citizens Band radios, Family Radio Service walkie-talkies, and General Mobile Radio Service, are prohibited from using those radios “in connection with any activity which is against Federal, State or local law.”2 Individuals using radios in the Amateur or Personal Radio Services in this manner may be subject to severe penalties, including significant fines, seizure of the offending equipment, and, in some cases, criminal prosecution.
Media inquiries should be directed to 202-418-0500 or MediaRelations@fcc.gov.
To file a complaint with the FCC, visit https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or call 1-888-CALL- FCC. To report a crime, contact your local law enforcement office or the FBI.
(Excerpt) Read more at docs.fcc.gov ...
But using Twitter, Facebook, encrypted email, et al to plan criminal acts is just fine.
OK, that picture cracked me up. I mean laugh out loud cracked me up.
A classic case of “it’s funny because it’s true.”
Speaking of which, which Baofeng-friendly frequencies are legal for anyone to use?
“We have one. They’re very small, and unattractive.”
I know nothing about Ham, short-wave, etc., but is there anything that allows you to communicate to a range of about 40 miles? In case cellular and internet are jammed, what are the options?
I know it’s a movie, but in “The Shining” what was that radio thing they used to communicate to the outside world?
Also, when I managed the office for a construction department in Alaska, I had a base station radio to contact guys in the field. It was pretty long range, as the service area was large. Of course, that was the ‘70s and I’m sure things have changed since then. (Call letters were KVA438, if that format helps.)
My family and are are worried that we’ll have no way to talk if/when the SHTF.
The Turtle has fallen from the post.
Repeat.
The Turtle has fallen from the post.
Yet, right there in Paragraph 3 it says “...individuals operating radios in the Personal Radio Services, a category that includes Citizens Band radios”
Look at notice. It includes CBs (citizen Band radios).
Any military or insurgent force must have communication. That is one of the two requirements for a successful coup d’etat. First, communication is essential so all elements move in synch. Second, the winners will control the military. The military will have communication. First move is (as seen from coups) is to take the radio and television stations. Then the leaders. In this society, expect that not only will radio and television be taken down, but internet as well. It is easy to kill transmission sources of Twitter and Facebook. Cell phones can be jammed in areas of interest.
For 3-4 weeks I have established communication plans for my family and friends if there is a time with no phones or internet.
Bottom line, He who has the guns, wins. Control of the military is very important.
Gwjack
P.S. familyop, this isn’t directed at you as much as it is to get my thoughts out there. Yes, some will scoff and laugh, but it is like the story of “The Fish That Were Too Clever.” Be a frog, not a fish.
I have heard election fraud being discussed several times lately on the amateur radio bands. Will such discussions be deemed criminal by the selected President’s administration?
Toro Toro Toro
I am guessing, but I believe free speech will prevail as long as it is nott planning or during a criminal act.
The FRS (Family Radio Service) freqs do not require licensing, and the Baofengs will operate on them, but I believe that, legally, you are supposed to use a radio type accepted for the service, and I doubt that Baofengs are type accepted for FRS (but don’t take my word for it, you may want to check it out).
Of course, in 3 days the government of the United States is going to be illegitimate, and the FCC is an arm of that illegitimate government, so I’ll leave it to you to decide how much those requirements actually mean.
Resistance can take many, many forms.
Im reading CBS and CNN are out in places and Internet issues in the northeast.
To Nighthawk: The trees will be green on Monday.
To Red Queen: The ice is off the lake.
To Long John: The dogs have slipped the leash.
Going to have to learn to talk in short wave code. They are listening.
Exactly.
Broderick Crawford? I read his Wiki. Interesting character; I liked his acting. Lots of problems in real life, however.
40 miles is beyond the range of most hand held radios, unless you can hit a repeater. A enhanced CB may do it depending upon terrain.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice is a fictional character played by Jackie Gleason in the films Smokey and the Bandit.
Somethin’s up! Stay tuned.
There is something called the Family Radio Service (FRS), q.v. But it doesn’t have a range anything like that. Depending on the terrain, architecture, etc., it can be even less than the couple of miles usually advertised.
Think about getting a ham radio license. The technician level isn’t difficult to achieve.
http://www.arrl.org/getting-your-technician-license
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