Skip to content
Alexa Seleno
@alexaseleno

FCC Upholds Record $34,000 Forfeiture Against Amateur Licensee

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assessed a record $34,000 forfeiture against an amateur radio licensee for “willfully and repeatedly operating a radio station without authorization and interfering with the radio communications of the United States Forest Service … while the U.S. Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Lands were attempting to direct the operations of fire suppression aircraft working a 1,000-acre wildfire on national forest land outside of Elk River, Idaho.”

As ARRL News first reported in 2022, the FCC proposed the fine against Jason Frawley of Lewiston, Idaho, for allegedly interfering with radio operations of the U.S. Forest Service during firefighting activities for the Johnson Creek Fire near Elk River in July 2021. The FCC stated in the Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL) that Frawley holds an Extra-class Amateur Radio Service license, WA7CQ, and is the owner/operator of Leader Communications LLC, licensee of eight microwave licenses and one business license.

In response, Frawley acknowledged that he operated on a frequency reserved for government use and for which he lacked authorization but argues that he did not cause interference to the government’s fire suppression activities that were being coordinated on the channel and acted with “good faith and non-malicious intent to help.” Frawley requested a reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture based on the number and duration of the unauthorized transmissions, his history of compliance and corrective measures, and his inability to pay the proposed forfeiture.

In the Forfeiture Order released on January 3, 2025, the FCC rejected Frawley’s request and assessed the full proposed forfeiture of $34,000.

2025 ARRL Foundation Scholarships – Final Weeks to Apply

The ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program continues to accept applications for the 2025 scholarship cycle. The application period is open until 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on January 6, 2025. The scholarships are available to eligible amateur radio operators pursuing higher education. There are more than 100 scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000.

The scholarships have been established by generous donors and can help fund a portion of a ham’s education. Descriptions of the scholarships may be found at https://www.arrl.org/scholarship-descriptions

In 2024, 135 scholarships totaling more than $715,000 were awarded. Young Hams throughout the country benefitted from scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000 to assist them with college or university expenses. Funded entirely through the generous contributions of individuals, Clubs, and friends, the Scholarship Program is one of two areas of focus (the other being grants) for the Foundation, which is a separate organization that works closely in partnership with ARRL.

ARRL Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, is encouraged by the program. “Hams are always learning, and being able to honor that dedication to education through generously funded scholarship programs helps relieve some of the financial burden that students can experience,” he said.

All applicants must submit a completed online application. Transcripts and any additional required documents must be submitted with the application and not emailed separately. A number of scholarships require additional documents, such as a letter of recommendation from a sitting Officer of an ARRL-affiliated club. Applications without accompanying transcripts and additional required documents (if applicable) will not be considered. Scholarship recipients will be notified by early June 2025. Awards are mailed directly to recipients’ schools and will be awarded in July 2025.

ARRL’s mission is to promote and protect the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur radio, and to develop the next generation of radio amateurs. Through programs like the free youth membership and the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology, ARRL is enabling futures in STEM-field careers through amateur radio.

Amateur Radio and Emergency Communications

Disasters in remote places have historically involved amateur radio operators. These “hams” have stepped in to provide assistance when other forms of communication fail. Disasters still happen regularly, and ham radio operators continue to serve the public with their skills and radio equipment. Emergency management professionals still need to include ham radio operators in their planning processes because of the vital help they can offer.

Ham radio might be considered a precursor to the social media of today. This form of communication dates back to the 1890s. It wasn’t until 1912 when the Radio Act was passed, granting federal licensing to ham radio stations. Ham radio stations today are regulated by the United States Federal Communications Commission. In 1935, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) was established by the American Radio Relay League. Licensed amateur radio operators belong to the ARES, having registered their equipment and qualifications to be ready to assist the public in the event of a disaster. The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service was established in 1952, serving as a civil defense radio service that activates in emergencies. Following Federal Emergency Management Agency protocols, ham radio operators have authorization to transmit during emergencies after the president invokes these powers.

Understanding Ham Radio Communication

Ham radio operators must study and pass exams to earn licensing. The tests include topics such as operator responsibilities, FCC rules, operating procedures, radio propagation, electronic circuits, electrical principles, typical equipment troubleshooting, antenna measurements, repairs, non-voice communications, and safety. Ham operators often have extensive communications experience or even professional broadcasting experience. Many operators are also first-responders. Members may also have earned FEMA training certificates, have law enforcement backgrounds, or participate in volunteer activities such as search and rescue.

How and When to Use Ham Radio

If all communication is being managed via commercial services, ham radio is not necessary. However, regular communications systems may be compromised in a disaster or emergency. When this occurs, supplemental ham radio can take the place of commercial communication systems until they are restored. In major disasters, extensive failures can occur involving overloading of communications infrastructure such as cellular networks, Internet access points, and public safety radio systems. Ham operators will be needed in force for an extended period when this occurs. FCC regulations authorize ham operators to assist the public with direct communication with non-amateur entities such as the military and FEMA. Ham radio operators can provide voice and data communication in these scenarios.

Ham radio operators may be used remotely at auxiliary command posts, emergency shelters, evacuation sites, emergency operations centers, medical facilities, police and fire stations, and public works sites. Ham operators may also assist with communications links between similar agencies, establishing communications in areas outside of public service coverage areas, shadowing emergency management workers to ensure constant contact, monitoring highways and bridges to ensure safety, and observing damaged areas to provide reports. Ham radio operators may not be able to completely replace all communications. However, these volunteers can step in to establish and maintain critical communications during challenging conditions. Ham operators who have solar-powered equipment can even maintain communications when other traditionally powered equipment fails.

The Integration of Ham Radio Into Emergency Management

Emergency management coordinators can integrate ham radio into contingency plans in several ways. A plan may involve establishing an auxiliary emergency communications unit that consists of ham operators. An emergency management team may also host a ham radio licensing class to teach and train new ham radio operators. Even in areas that do not experience frequent emergencies, it’s important to have ham radio operators ready to step in during emergencies. These areas may benefit from scheduling drills and exercises to keep operators ready to respond in emergencies. Drills also ensure that professionals and ham operators are comfortable working together. For optimal results, emergency management officials should strive not to limit ham operators in their responses. By not dictating operator response, hams have the freedom to respond effectively.

New Ham – HAM Radio Best Practices

HAM Radio is a whole new world for you, and you want to jump into it ASAP, however you are bound to make mistakes on occasion and that’s alright. Play nice with everyone you speak to. Here are a few tips and even unwritten rules in Ham Radio to help you avoid pitfalls and maybe some embarrassing situations:

On the air:

After pressing your PTT button, wait about ½ second before speaking, especially if you’re communicating through a repeater. The repeater takes a second to “catch up” with you.

When speaking into your microphone, keep the microphone a little bit away, don’t talk into it like you see in the movies. This will make sure you don’t sound bloated on the air.

Place your hand microphone about four to six inches from your mouth when transmitting. Speak clearly and use your voice without yelling in to the mic.

When announcing your call sign along with that of another ham, the rule is to put yourself last, as in “KI5LMR, this is KI5WTR” if your call sign was KI5WTR.

While it’s customary to call out CQ on HF bands, it’s best practice on the 2-meter and 70-cm bands to announce your call sign instead, especially on a repeater.

If another ham points out a problem with your transmission (“you’re sounding a little scratchy”), always assume the problem is with you (location, orientation, power too low, etc.) or your equipment first, and always admit your mistakes

If you’d like to jump into an ongoing conversation, avoid using the word break ; instead, say your call sign between their transmissions. Usually they will acknowledge you and allow you to speak.

After your contact releases his PTT (Push-to-talk) button, wait one to two seconds before you press yours, in case another person wants to join the conversation or has an emergency.

Avoid “kerchunking“, which is repeatedly pressing and releasing your PTT button without announcing your call sign; it’s not only illegal, but irritating to others, especially those listening on a repeater. Remember…good practices!

When speaking through a repeater, try and keep your conversations to under a few minutes. Most repeaters will have a time out. The repeater I use times out every two minutes. Don’t sweat it, you will get used to this. Remember, this is all new to you right now.

Personal:

While it’s not always possible, try and make your conversations positive and upbeat; sounding positive attracts friends, while negative comments tend to turn other hams away from you, even if well-intended.

Don’t get offended just because another ham can’t remember your name or call sign, most likely until later on, you will have the same issue. People will eventually get to know you around your area. I used a pen and paper to write down call signs and names when I was on the radio to help me remember who I talked to.

If another ham does offend you, let it go; don’t retaliate or try and belittle the other ham for it; be the adult in the encounter, even if you’re a kid. This is not a place to troll others. Save that for Facebook!

Be considerate of your contact’s time, and minimize dead-air time by at least thinking of what you’re going to say before keying up.

Avoid making insulting or disparaging remarks about others on the air; what people hear you say about others, they’ll also believe you’ll say about them. You are trying to make new friends here after all.

If you feel you must correct the behavior of another ham, do so off-air, tactfully, and out of earshot of others.

Within reason, avoid burping, coughing, sniffing, clearing your throat, smacking your lips, and making other bodily or disgusting noises on the air. Why? It’s just gross…EWWWW!

Whenever possible try not to engage in political or religious conversation. These are too hot topics that can easily get out of hand due to varying feelings on the matters. There are thousands of other subjects you can talk about.

Equipment:

Make sure your radio is programmed with an appropriate frequency list before you stash it away, but be sure to accompany it with a card or sheet to remind you of what the frequencies or channel names are for. If your radio has an SD card as a backup, this will save you a lot of grief later if something happens.

Learn how to manually program your radio; you might not know when you need to travel through a location where there is no cell signal available for your phone or tablet

Join a regularly held net, which will give you weekly practice on your radio, to keep you acquainted with your equipment operation and limitations

As far as practical, keep your radio equipment clean; you might never know when you’ll need to share your microphone with somebody else, and keeping your controls clean will help ensure that they’ll work for you the next time. You paid for it, take care of it!