Posted on 10/07/2010 5:34:16 PM PDT by nickcarraway
BSO busts pirate radio station in Lauderdale Lakes
Christian hymns don't often have a bumping bass line, so when listeners of a religious radio station heard hard core rap lyrics interrupt their worship, there could only be one explanation.
No, it wasn't the devil. It was pirate radio.
Broward Sheriff's Office deputies put the heavenly clamps on two guys stealing the Christian station's signal out of their garage in Lauderdale Lakes on Thursday. Maurice Roland and Mikhail Rhodd, both 22, were both arrested and a search of the house turned up two microphones and a laptop with loads of tunes attached to an antenna on the roof. Authorities believe the men used the equipment to broadcast "Trap Radio" on 89.5 FM.
The station used the tag line, "The Official Voice of the Hood." The unsanctioned rap station is directly between 89.3, a Christian station, and 89.7, which plays classical music. Listeners of both legit stations would often have their programming interrupted by profane lyrics and advertising about the most happening night club.
Not quite the target audience for hood public service announcements.
Rhodd, who is an aspiring rapper known as Blakk Babi, was charged with unauthorized transmissions to or interference with a public or commercial radio station licensed by the FCC. Roland was arrested because of an outstanding warrant for battery.
Is this a preview of the Fairness Doctrine in action?
“Roland was arrested because of an outstanding warrant for battery.”
It was battery operated?
I dont suppose this is a hate crime.
FCC fines start at 10K - for each infraction.
That is going to leave a mark.
They don’t always collect the fines and sometimes only give warnings, but some stations have indeed been turned off
by authorities—especially if they are on the “first adjacent” of a legit station. For example, if a legit station is at 89.7 and you do a pirate signal at 89.5, expect a raid.
If you turn on at 89.3, though, less likely.
List of some stations that were raided or issued
“Notices of Apparent Liability”
http://diymedia.net/fccwatch/eadtable10.htm
Speaking of incidents where Christian programming was interrupted by something shocking, there used to be, maybe still is, a Christian radio show called Powerline. One day about 20 yrs ago the record plant which produced it (and
again, this was awhile back—vinyl!) accidentally pressed
copies of the Dead Kennedys first album instead. Sample
lyric: “God told me to skin you alive...” Oops.
example of a Notice of Illegal Operation for pirate radio
(essential parts)
>>The Boston Office received information that an unlicensed broadcast radio station on 102.9 MHz was allegedly operating in Worcester, MA. On April 1,
2010, agents from this office confirmed by direction finding techniques
that radio signals on frequency 102.9 MHz were emanating from your studio
at 97 Webster St., Worcester, MA. The Commission’s records show that no
license was issued for operation of a broadcast station on 102.9 MHz at
this location in Worcester, MA.
Radio stations must be licensed by the FCC pursuant to 47 U.S.C. S: 301.
...
You are hereby warned that operation of radio transmitting equipment
without a valid radio station authorization constitutes a violation of the
Federal laws cited above and could subject the operator to severe
penalties, including, but not limited to, substantial monetary fines, in
rem arrest action against the offending radio equipment, and criminal
sanctions including imprisonment.
UNLICENSED OPERATION OF THIS RADIO STATION MUST BE DISCONTINUED
IMMEDIATELY.
You have ten (10) days from the date of this notice to respond with any
evidence that you have authority to operate granted by the FCC.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.