2-19-14
The FCC has issued a $9,000 notice of apparent liability to JCE Licenses, saying it failed to maintain operational EAS equipment and EAS logs at KBXD/Dallas. And in an unrelated matter, an Austin couple has received an NAL for $15,000 for operating an unlicensed station at 90.1 MHz.
KBXD was inspected in January of 2013, and the FCC agent found there was no EAS equipment installed. At the time, the station GM admitted that there had been no EAS equipment since KBXD returned to the air in late 2012 -- there were also no EAS logs documenting tests transmitted or received. JCE has 30 days to pay the forfeiture or appeal for a reduction or cancellation -- and the same amount of time to file a statement that it's in full compliance with the EAS rules.
In Austin, the husband-and-wife duo of Walter and M. Rae Nadler-Olenick get a $15,000 NAL for, the commission says, operating an unlicensed station at 90.1 FM. Responding to a complaint, agents in August 2013 tracked broadcasts to an antenna atop a tower mounted to the side of the Olenicks' Austin apartment building. After receiving a warning letter from the FCC, the couple responded that they didn't recognize the FCC's jurisdiction or consider themselves subject to U.S. laws.
In November 2013, the station was found to be broadcasting again. Noting that "contrary to the Olenicks' assertion, the commission does not lack jurisdiction over the use of radio transmitting equipment within the state of Texas," the Enforcement Bureau issued the NAL. The Olenicks have 30 days to pay up or file for a reduction or cancellation of the forfeiture.
