Non-Certified FM Transmitter Interfered With Jacksonville Center

The LightSquared/GPS battle isn't the only one which could affect your ability to fly safely in IMC. The authorization of low-power FM stations by the FCC starting in 2000 has resulted in lots of churches and other non-profits putting up 100-watt FM stations designed to cover a radius of about 3.5 miles. But many of the licensees are on shoestring budgets, and shortcuts in engineering or equipment selection can result in interference to aviation communications and navigation.

Such a case is being settled in Dunnellon, Florida. WRLE-FM is licensed to Power Ministries owner Anthony Downes, who's authorized to broadcast at 94.9 MHz. But the FCC says that for three months in 2010, the station operated with a non-certified transmitter which emitted spurious signals, interfering with Jacksonville Center's communications on 133.75 MHz.

Worse, Radio World reports the FCC says the station "deliberately disregarded" an agent’s request that it immediately turn off the transmitter to stop the threat to air traffic control, instead allowing the transmitter to operate unlawfully for another 30 minutes.

The FCC proposed a penalty of $12,000, but Power Ministries appealed, saying it could not afford the fine. The the FCC has agreed to reduce the penalty to $1,500, but adds, "If Power believes that the reduced forfeiture still poses a financial hardship, it may request full payment in installments."

The FCC has certification standards for transmitters to be sure their designs will not cause interference, a process somewhat parallel to the FAA's certification of aircraft. Cheaper transmitters which are not certified by the FCC are available on the internet, and are a favorite of "pirate" radio operators, who broadcast with no licenses whatsoever in defiance of the FCC. A similar incident near Boston Logan International Airport in May of 2011 prompted the FCC to seek forfeiture of unlicensed broadcast equipment.

FMI: www.fcc.gov/topic/low-power-fm