FCC Levies Largest Fine to Amateur Radio Operator

June 8, 2022 by Madeline Hughes
FCC Levies Largest Fine to Amateur Radio Operator
FILE - Carson Hot Shots Henry Hornberger, left, and Tyler Freeman cut up a hollow tree that was burning on the inside, Monday, May 23, 2022, as they and their co-workers work on hot spots from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire in the Carson National Forest west of Chacon, N.M. (Eddie Moore/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

WASHINGTON — While firefighters were battling a blaze near Elk River, Idaho, in 2021 an unknown voice came over the radio waves they were using to coordinate an airplane to help fight the fire.

The U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement determined it was Jason Frawley of Idaho, and Wednesday the Federal Communications Commission fined him $34,000 for his interference.

“You can’t interfere with public safety communications. Full stop,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel during Wednesday’s monthly commission meeting. “So today we propose the largest fine of its type for this interference that put fire suppression and public safety itself at risk.”

Rosenworcel was joined by the three other commissioners to unanimously vote for the fine. They all thanked law enforcement for their help finding Frawley.

Frawley allegedly sent eight unauthorized radio messages over two days in late July 2021, as firefighters battled what is known as the “Johnson Fire,” according to a statement from the commission.

He broadcast messages about his observations of the fire near the Elk Butte airstrip, where he was, to airplane and ground crews, according to the statement.

It was on the second day of Frawley’s broadcasts that a member of the Forest Service found him and told him to stop, according to the statement. 

Frawley has the license to amateur radio station WA7CQ. He also owns the company Leader Communications LLC, which has eight microwave licenses and one business license that all can be used for public communications.

After the Forest Service member talked to Frawley, he “argued to the commission that he did not mean any harm and only intended to assist the firefighting crews by providing them with specific details regarding Elk Butte,” according to the statement.

“Regardless of the intent, the FCC finds that the apparent willful violations cannot be overlooked as interfering with authorized radio communications — and especially public safety-related communications — is a serious violation of the law and can put lives and property at risk,” the commission’s statement said.

The fire in total destroyed about 1,000 acres of national forest land in northwest Idaho.

“To keep the community safe, these authorities worked together to address the burning acreage and coordinate with aircraft in the skies above. To do this, they relied on radio communications,” Rosenworcel said. “In other words, they sought to use public airwaves to keep the public safe. But their efforts were thwarted by an amateur radio operator who was unlawfully transmitting on frequencies dedicated to public safety.”

The Well News has contacted Frawley for comment. This story will be updated.

Madeline can be reached at [email protected] and @MadelineHughes

A+
a-
  • Elk RIver
  • Idaho
  • radio interference
  • wildfires
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Regulation

    Election Officials From Across the US Meet to Consider Trump's Order Overhauling Election Operations

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — State and local election officials from across the country are meeting Thursday to consider President Donald... Read More

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — State and local election officials from across the country are meeting Thursday to consider President Donald Trump’s executive order that seeks major changes to how elections are run, the first time those in charge of the nation's voting will formally gather to weigh in... Read More

    April 22, 2025
    by Tom Ramstack
    Federal Trade Commission Sues Uber Alleging Deceit in Subscriptions

    SAN FRANCISCO — The Federal Trade Commission sued rideshare company Uber Technologies Inc. Monday, alleging a pattern of deceit against... Read More

    SAN FRANCISCO — The Federal Trade Commission sued rideshare company Uber Technologies Inc. Monday, alleging a pattern of deceit against consumers intended to maximize profits. The lawsuit says Uber used hidden charges, failed to deliver on promised savings and made it difficult for customers to cancel... Read More

    April 15, 2025
    by Tom Ramstack
    Meta’s Zuckerberg Defends Against Allegations of Monopoly Tactics

    WASHINGTON — Meta Platforms Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg testified for a second day Tuesday in a Washington, D.C., court that... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Meta Platforms Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg testified for a second day Tuesday in a Washington, D.C., court that his company has encouraged the growth of social media but not the anticompetitive dominance alleged by the Federal Trade Commission. The trial in the antitrust case... Read More

    March 28, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    FCC Opens Probe Into DEI Practices at Disney, ABC

    WASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr on Friday directed the agency’s Enforcement Bureau to open an investigation into... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr on Friday directed the agency’s Enforcement Bureau to open an investigation into the DEI practices of The Walt Disney Company and its flagship television network, ABC. “While Disney started as an iconic American company, it recently went all... Read More

    March 14, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    FCC Asks Public: ‘What Rules Do You Want Us to Toss?’

    WASHINGTON — “In re: Delete, Delete, Delete.” That’s the name of a new docket created by the Federal Communications Commission... Read More

    WASHINGTON — “In re: Delete, Delete, Delete.” That’s the name of a new docket created by the Federal Communications Commission through which it is soliciting comments on “every rule, regulation or guidance” the general public and the communications industry wants to see eliminated. “The FCC has... Read More

    March 13, 2025
    by Tom Ramstack
    Environmentalists Outraged at EPA for Loosening Climate Regulations

    WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency is closing down its environmental justice and civil rights office this week as part... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency is closing down its environmental justice and civil rights office this week as part of a dramatic overhaul of the agency. The EPA also canceled $20 billion in climate grants, announced plans to eliminate dozens of anti-pollution regulations and is... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top