[BC] FCC Seeking Extra Funds to go after Pirates

[Mike McCarthy]

>Which is all good until some innocent spectrum user (of something like one of the XM/Sirius FM modulators) ticks off a member of the local spectrum
>Gestapo or a nearby ham gets turned in for something that's not even his (or her) fault simply because he/she has an antenna or two visible...
> Keith Hammond

All due respect Kieth, and I know you've had a very sad story,  but...

I don't think law enforcement people will arbitrarily go after just anyone
with an antenna. They either take their cue from the FCC or they have some
other means to verify the signal is eminating from a given location. Keep
in mind there is the 4th Amendment and local law enforcement needs a lot
more than mere probable cause to enter private premises for a non-criminal
act let alone sieze equipment.

Your situation is very unique dealing with a full license and assets and I
would argue that your 1 in a million occurance well outside the scope and
even vision of the local ordinances and statutes as enacted in Florida and
under consideration elsewhere to deal with pirates operating at will.

MM