FCC issues warning after reported attempts by groups to coordinate Capitol siege via amateur radio

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Patsy Widakuswara Retweeted

Warning just issued by the
@FCC
after reported attempts by far-right groups to coordinate #CapitolSiege and planned criminal acts via amateur radio frequencies. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-73A1.pdf

Link to tweet

DA 21-73
Released: January 17, 2021

FCC Enforcement Advisory

WARNING: AMATEUR AND PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES LICENSEES AND OPERATORS MAY NOT USE RADIO EQUIPMENT TO COMMIT OR FACILITATE CRIMINAL ACTS

The Enforcement Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission issues this Enforcement Advisory to remind licensees in the Amateur Radio Service, as well as licensees and operators in the Personal Radio Services, that the Commission prohibits the use of radios in those services to commit or facilitate criminal acts.

The Bureau has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the Commission may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities. The Bureau recognizes that these services can be used for a wide range of permitted purposes, including speech that is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Amateur and Personal Radio Services, however, may not be used to commit or facilitate crimes.

Specifically, the Bureau reminds amateur licensees that they are prohibited from transmitting “communications intended to facilitate a criminal act” or “messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning.”1 Likewise, individuals operating radios in the Personal Radio Services, a category that includes Citizens Band radios, Family Radio Service walkie-talkies, and General Mobile Radio Service, are prohibited from using those radios “in connection with any activity which is against Federal, State or local law.”2 Individuals using radios in the Amateur or Personal Radio Services in this manner may be subject to severe penalties, including significant fines, seizure of the offending equipment, and, in some cases, criminal prosecution.

Media inquiries should be directed to 202-418-0500 or [e-mail].

To file a complaint with the FCC, visit https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or call 1-888-CALLFCC. To report a crime, contact your local law enforcement office or the FBI.

1 47 CFR § 97.113(a)(4).
2 47 CFR § 95.333(a).
3 47 U.S.C. §§ 401, 501, 503, 510.

Federal Communications Commission DA 21-73

To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call the Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau at [phone] (voice), [phone] (TTY).

Issued by: Chief, Enforcement Bureau

[Alacritous Crier]

1. That's incredibly stupid!

73

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. This message issued today by the ARRL:

This message issued today by
@arrl
: http://arrl.org/news/arrl-on-the-purpose-of-amateur-radio

Link to tweet

[LiberalArkie]

3. I quit most all of the Amateur Radio nets since they were more racist and right wing than a meeting

of white supremists , nazis and KKK rolled in together.

[Baked Potato]

4. Probably using high powered 11 meter radios.

I heard a guy ask a clerk in Walmart for a “shortwave” radio. He said the government is going to turn everything off.

73s

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. That might not be necessary.

Oh, gosh, I'd have to look this up. I know about the repeater in Alexandria, but I don't know what repeaters are running in downtown DC. At any rate, if one of those 2-meter handhelds with 100 mW output hits a repeater, it can be heard for miles around.

These guys would really be better off with FRS or GMRS. How far away do they need to be heard? Or why not just use a CB?

KI4(something)(something)(something)

[Baked Potato]

6. Yes, they should just use CB.

I just want them to stay the heck off the Ham freqs. I stay on HF mostly running QRP CW.

KA6 (something,something,something) too lol
Started WN6*** a looong time ago 😬

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. FCC Warning: Don't Use Ham Radio or CBs to Plan Crimes

FCC Warning: Don’t Use Ham Radio or CBs to Plan Crimes

Enforcement Bureau is concerned about social media talk of using radio services

BY PAUL MCLANE ⋅
PUBLISHED: JANUARY 17, 2021

The Federal Communications Commission has issued an unusual weekend enforcement warning that boils down to this: Don’t use ham radio, CBs, FRS walkie-talkies or other personal radio services to plan crimes. ... This comes as federal and local government and law enforcement officials around the country report concerns over possible terrorist attacks from disgruntled Trump supports enraged by the outcome of the election and stoked by the recent attack on the Capitol.

The Enforcement Bureau “has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the commission may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities,” the FCC said in a statement issued Sunday morning.

“The Bureau recognizes that these services can be used for a wide range of permitted purposes including speech that is protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution,” it said. But it continued in bold font: “Amateur and Personal Radio Services, however, may not be used to facilitate crimes.”

The warning applies to ham radio operators and users of services like Citizen’s Band, Family Radio Service walkie-talkies and General Mobile Radio service. ... Specifically, amateur licensees are reminded that they are prohibited from transmitting “communications intended to facilitate a criminal act” as well as “messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning.” Users in the Personal Radio Services like CBs are prohibited from using them “in connection with any activity that is against federal, state or local law.”