Ham Operator Must Pay in First-Responder Interference Case

A ham radio operator in Idaho must pay a record $34,000 penalty for causing interference with communications during a fire suppression effort.

That’s the ruling from the Federal Communications Commission in the case of Jason Frawley, licensee of amateur station WA7CQ.

When the commission issued its notice of liability 2-1/2 years ago, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote: “You can’t interfere with public safety communications. Full stop. So today we propose the largest fine of its type for this interference that put fire suppression and public safety itself at risk.”

Frawley acknowledged that he operated on a frequency without authorization but argued that he did not interfere with government communications and was trying to help. He asked for a cancellation or reduction but the commission has rejected his appeal.

It’s not clear why the FCC took so long to finalize the penalty.

When the forfeiture finally was adopted the day after Christmas, Commissioner Nathan Simington dissented but did not release a reason. Radio World has followed up with his office and will report any response.

More Information - https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/ham-operator-must-pay-in-first-responder-interference-case

Bob K0NR (blog) - https://www.amateurradio.com/erroneous-prepper-frequency-lists/

Georgia Club Donates Radio Books to Local Library

The Jackson-Butts County Public Library in Georgia is QRV. A collection of 11 amateur radio books donated a month ago by the Amateur Radio Club of Butts County has been entered into the library's system and was placed on the shelves recently for circulation.

“We are hoping they will be useful to many. They’re ready to go!”

— Cathy Kelly

This is the latest partnership in the US of amateur radio clubs and their local libraries. Library manager, Cathy Kelly, that the donation was made through the efforts of Buzz Kutcher, K3GWK and Nancy Phillips, K4NEP, from the club. The volumes include technical books, licensing guides and regulations from the Federal Communications Commission.

Original Story - ARNewline

Parker Solar Probe 'touches' the Sun

The Parker Solar Probe, launched by NASA in 2018, ended 2024 by nearly touching the untouchable - the sun.

On Christmas Eve - December 24th - NASA's solar probe set a record by flying 3.86 million miles, or 6.1 million kilometres, from the sun. That approach made the small probe the first - and fastest - object created by humans to come that close to the sun, according to a report in Forbes magazine. Its speed was clocked at 430,000 miles per hour, the equivalent of 692,000 kilometres per hour.

Nicola Fox, NASA's associate administrator for science missions, said in a Christmas Eve video that the probe had achieved the very mission it was intended for with its unprecedented flight so close to the sun.

This solar pass came as the probe made its 22nd approach since its launch more than six years ago. The probe is well-shielded for this latest plunge into the sun: More than four years ago it entered one of the most powerful coronal mass ejections ever recorded, according to NASA.