FCC tells Vermont ham that fine is next step

The FCC has warned David J. Tolassi, WA1BHV (ex-KB1EVE), of Barre, Vermont, that he's risking a substantial fine if he continues to violate the conditions of his 2004 license renewal.

After a series of "enforcement issues" relating to the operation of KB1EVE, the FCC renewed Tolassi's General class ticket in January 2004 on the condition that he refrain from 20-meter voice operation for three years. Following up on allegations that Tolassi had violated the prohibition, FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth wrote the licensee February 23.

"Information before the Commission indicates that you have violated the condition of your license by operating voice on the 20-meter amateur band," Hollingsworth said. "Please be advised that if the condition is violated again, you will be issued a monetary forfeiture (fine)." Hollingsworth noted
that fines for such unauthorized operation typically range from $4000 to $7000.

In late 2003, the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) referred Tolassi's renewal application to the Enforcement Bureau for review as a result of the "enforcement issues," which, Hollingsworth says, involved
inappropriate on-the-air behavior. To resolve the situation, Tolassi agreed to stay off 20-meter phone until February 1, 2007, in exchange for having the FCC renew his license.

In 1999, Tolassi, formerly KC1ZQ, failed to pass the Advanced class examination after being summoned by the FCC for retesting, and his license class was downgraded to General.

The FCC issued KB1EVE, a call sign appropriate for a General class licensee in March 2000. Tolassi obtained
WA1BHV last May through the vanity call sign program

Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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