Interfering With Wildfire Suppression Radio Communications

Photos/Videos
#1

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel discusses the FCC’s proposed $34,000 fine against Jason Frawley for apparently interfering with radio communications that were guiding fire suppression aircraft combating the 2021 “Johnson fire” near Elk River, Idaho. At the time, the U.S. Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Lands were fighting a 1000 acre wildfire located on national forest land. The Communications Act prohibits such interference with authorized radio communications and the Commission takes very seriously any interference with public safety communications.

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#2

When I studied for my ham license one of the things I recall is that the FCC is the ONLY and FINAL authority as to who can use what frequencies. A couple hams on the east coast had been given permission to use FBI and FEMA frequencies by local agents, but then found themselves in hot water later. Another point to pay attention to is that the fines for willful interference is measured in the tens of thousands of dollars. Something to consider if you are using your department frequencies outside your jurisdiction.

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#3

The way the Chairwoman reads this sounds like he was maliciously jamming but the way the complaint reads is more like he was trying to interject something on a channel he should not have, that he did not have a license for.

Seems over dramatized to me, but I was not there then.

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#4

From what I read, the individual, using the tactical call sign “Radio Tech” was trying to advise firefighting aircraft of what he considered hazards. Not sure why they levied such a heavy fine. The FCC rules state that nothing precludes the preservation of life or property, but if a ham is going to try using emergency service frequencies, he/she had better be able to prove and document they had no other means available to them.

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#5

The FCC is pretty much a joke these days, and they just like to make an example when they can.

Every radio tech transmits on govt freqs, otherwise how would they test or repair anything.

But as for me, even when reporting a fire I don’t want to be seen as “that guy” so I call on the phone even when I have a radio next to me. I do have the ECC’s phone number as do most radio people.

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#6

I saw another video on this some where, maybe the ARRL, but it didn’t seem like the guy was an actual state or fed radio tech. He was a guy who took that call sign. From what I remember, the guy was somewhere near the airport being used by the firefighting aircraft, and a federal law enforcement officer drove over there and found him.

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#7

The majority of radio techs do not work for the state or feds, but small independent businesses, but beyond that, I don’t know anything about this guy.

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