No automatic control for you!

The FCC has suspended the automatic remote control privileges of up to a dozen Tennessee repeaters. It has also told the ham whose call sign is on the machines that he has no choice but to solve the user abuse problems or keep the repeaters off the air.

Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, tells us about an FCC decision that could be precedent-setting..

The story of the FCC involvement in the matter of repeaters operated by John C. Kimbrough, WR3S, goes back to April 10th of this year. That’s when the regulatory agency wrote to notify him that a problem existed and required his attention.

The FCC said that its Enforcement Bureau had monitoring information indicating that on various dates in March that repeater stations identifying as or by WR3S operated without proper control and re-broadcast portions of commercial TV programming and music. The FCC says that the monitoring also showed that operators on the system failed to identify properly and used false call signs.

The letter went on to warn Kimbrough that the Commission requires that repeaters be under the supervision of a control operator and not only expects, but requires, control operators to be responsible for the proper operation of the repeater system. Also, that control operators must take whatever steps are appropriate to ensure compliance with the rules. This might include limiting the repeater use to certain users, converting the repeater to a closed system or taking it off the air entirely.

In his response, Kinbrough indicated to the FCC that he oversees a dozen repeaters on the 2 meter and 223 MHz bands. Also that he used at least ten control operators.

But the FCC stated that the failure of all ten of control operators to prevent or eliminate these violations is inexcusable, especially in view of the wide scale linking of these repeaters. The FCC then told WR3S that he will soon receive a directive from the Atlanta office of the Commission removing the automatic control privileges of your repeater systems. This means that you may not operate any repeater stations under his callsign unless he is the control operator and at the control point at all times. This, to make certain that Commission rules are being followed and that no interference is occurring.

But here's the kicker. The FCC is forbidding Kimbrough from simply delegating control authority to other area hams. In what may well be a first-of-a-kind order, the FCC has told WR3S that at those times when he is unable to function as the control operator of the stations identifying with his call sign, they may not transmit. In other words, if he is not at the specific geographic point where the controls are to physically located, that repeaters must stay QRT. The FCC says that Kimbrough has no other choice.

• The FCC order to WR3S does not end there. It tells Kinbrough that his failure to control stations bearing his call sign, or any communications over his repeaters not complying with Commission rules, will result in enforcement action against his license.

The FCC says that this could take the form of a fine, the modification of his license to remove all voice operating privileges or even the suspension and revocation of Koimbrough's Amateur ticket.

It also directed him to contact the local frequency coordinator and clear up the records as to which systems actually belong to him, and which are the property of other hams and only utilize his call.

Bruce Tennant, K6PZW
Amateur Radio Newsline