Section 301 of the Communications Act prohibits the ``use or operat[ion of] any apparatus for the transmission of energy or communications or signals by radio'' without a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission. Thus, generally, in order to use or operate a radio station, the Communications Act requires that you first obtain a license by the FCC. There are certain limited exceptions. For example, the Commission has provided blanket authorization to operators of CB radio, radio control stations, and domestic ship and aircraft radios. In addition, the Commission has authorized the operation of certain low power radios pursuant to Part 15 of the Commission's Rules. Thus, operators of these radio facilities are not required to have individual licenses. However, these operators are required to operate their stations in a manner consistent with the Commission's operational and technical rules for those services.

The Commission takes enforcement of Section 301 seriously. Parties found operating radio stations without FCC authorization will be subject to a variety of enforcement actions including seizure of equipment, imposition of monetary forfeitures, ineligibility to hold any FCC license, and criminal penalties.

Recent Enforcement Actions

Unauthorized Broadcast Stations

04-14-2009	Halifax Christian Community Church, Inc., Flagler Beach, Florida
03-17-2009	Steven A. Skalecki
12-31-2008	Christian Family Network, Inc., WOLY, Battle Creek, Michigan
11-04-2008	John Doe
09-15-2008	John Doe, Largo, FL
09-11-2008	Yvon Louis, Hollis, NY
09-11-2008	Alexander Kissi, Bronx, New York
07-31-2008	A-O Broadcasting Corporation, Cloudcroft, New Mexico
07-17-2008	Christian Family Network, Inc., Battle Creek, Michigan
06-30-2008	Halifax Christian Community Church, Inc., WFBO-LP, Flagler Beach, Florida
06-30-2008	Frank Rodriguez, Paterson, NJ
06-26-2008	Richard Clouden, Boston, MA
05-22-2008	Richard Ross, Titusville, FL
05-07-2008	Trevor W. Whitely, Brooklyn, NY
05-07-2008	Charles Clemons, Boston, MA
04-04-2008	Roubens Maignan, Port St. Lucie, Florida
03-12-2008	Craig Watkins, Bronx, NY
03-10-2008	Michael Stone Campbell a/k/a Monroe Campbell, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
02-21-2008	Henry Gaye, Lake Park, Florida
12-13-2007	Marckenson Bazile, Tampa, Florida
11-15-2007	Jairo Diaz, Paterson, NJ
08-16-2007	Hmong American Community, Inc., Fresno, California
08-16-2007	Marcel Emile, East Orange, NJ
07-17-2007	Michael Thomas McCollum, Houston, Texas
06-13-2007	Donald J. Payne, San Diego, California
05-04-2007	Marcus A. Roberts, Houston, Texas
04-23-2007	Jean-Harry Pierre-Francois
04-02-2007	Junior Lahens Charles, Tampa, Florida
03-16-2007	Ace Broadcasting, Inc., WQST-AM, Forest, Mississippi
02-28-2007	Jose A. Mollinedo, Victorville, CA
02-09-2007	Gary Toussaint, Mattapan, MA
01-29-2007	Mark A. Clay, Huntington, West Virginia
01-29-2007	David Michael Oaks, Beaverton, Oregon
01-26-2007	Robert A. Spiry, Tacoma, WA
01-26-2007	Everald Oliver Brown, Orlando, Florida
01-26-2007	Unique Broadcasting, L.L.C., KKJW(FM), Stanton, Texas
01-26-2007	Oreste Abreu, Gurabo, Puerto Rico
01-26-2007	Kacy R. Rankine, West Orange, NJ
01-26-2007	Elroy Simpson, Brooklyn, NY
12-22-2006	Alan M. Conrad, San Diego, California
12-08-2006	Adam Troy Venters, Okeechobee, Florida
11-13-2006	Raul Guzman Reyes, Des Moines, Iowa
11-13-2006	Carlos M. Colon, Coamo, Puerto Rico
11-06-2006	Shawn Deroux, Bronx, NY
10-13-2006	Shawn Deroux, Bronx, NY
09-29-2006	Moises Cabrera, Juan Cabrera, New York, NY
09-29-2006	Joni K. Craig, San Diego, California
08-10-2006	Matthew H. Britcher, Bettendorf, Iowa
08-10-2006	Jason L. Duncan, Bettendorf, Iowa
07-13-2006	Jhony Desinor
06-29-2006	William Stephen Major, Sacramento, California
06-23-2006	William W. Scrugham, Kamiah, ID
02-27-2006	Jean Harold Marius, Randolph, MA
01-26-2006	Sylvane Simon, Mattapan, MA
01-13-2006	Jose A. Mollinedo, Victorville, CA
01-09-2006	Louis Gentile, Philadelphia, PA
09-14-2005	Daniel Clephar, Orlando, Florida
09-01-2005	Jean L. Senatus, Spring Valley, NY
06-24-2005	Mark A. Clay, Huntington, West Virginia
06-10-2005	Universal Network Television, LLC, Universal City, CA
06-06-2005	Samuel E. Dacres, Stone Mountain, Georgia
12-07-2004	Rony Richard Louis, Orlando, Florida
11-24-2004	Angelo Avena, Linden, NJ
11-05-2004	Everald Oliver Brown, Orlando, Florida
11-05-2004	David Michael Oaks, Beaverton, Oregon
10-28-2004	Ward F. Dean, Pensacola, Florida
10-01-2004	Alexandre Pierre Abelard, Fort Myers, FL
09-14-2004	Fritzner Simon, Brandon, FL
09-10-2004	Hip Hop City Corp, Brooklyn, NY
09-10-2004	Fritzner Simon, Brandon, FL
09-08-2004	Rev. Yvon Louis, Brooklyn, New York
08-11-2004	Wilner Simon, Port Charlotte, Florida
08-10-2004	Michael S. Selvanto, Elizabeth, New Jersey
08-10-2004	Donald Donovan Jackson, St. Petersburg, Florida
07-29-2004	Jhony Desinor, Naples, FL
07-09-2004	Stanley Mark Mayo, Victorville, California
06-16-2004	Mark A. Clay, Huntington, West Virginia
05-24-2004	Timothy J. Massett, Jacksonville, Florida
05-20-2004	Rony Richard Louis, Orlando, Florida
05-20-2004	L.A.C.A., State of New York, Inc., Bronx, New York
05-10-2004	Gabriel Dorcely, Orange Park, Florida
04-27-2004	Jason T. Green, Naples, Florida
04-27-2004	Gary M. Feldman, Miami, Florida
04-15-2004	William Davon Upson, Orlando, Florida
04-15-2004	Billy Thomas Alsbrooks, Altamonte Springs, Florida
02-26-2004	Josue Alusma, Naples, Florida
11-07-2003	Annetta Lovelock Enterprises Inc. d/b/a Rum Runner Caribbean Restaurant & Lounge, Orlando, Florida
10-30-2003	Pacifica Broadcasting Company, KALO (TV), Honolulu, Hawaii
10-23-2003	Patrick S. Green, Naples, Florida
10-03-2003	Mount Rushmore Broadcasting, Inc., KAWK(FM), Custer, South Dakota
08-18-2003	Networx Corporation, Pittsford, New York
08-18-2003	Odino Joseph, Naples, Florida
08-05-2003	Rev. Yvon Louis, Brooklyn, NY
06-26-2003	Brian N. Bloom, Altamonte Springs, Florida
05-12-2003	Fernando Alejandro, Bronx, New York
05-12-2003	Emmanuel Frederic, Brooklyn, New York
05-09-2003	Rawlins Charles, Brooklyn, New York
05-07-2003	Omar A. Ebanks, Orlando, Florida
05-05-2003	Assondieu Fortune, Naples, Florida
04-02-2003	Richard Muqoz, Naples, Florida
03-26-2003	Homere Hyppolite, Naples, Florida
02-04-2003	Marcel (NMI) Charles AKA Marcel M. Charles AKA Mariel M. Charles AKA Joseph M. Charles, Immokalee, Florida
01-31-2003	Josue Alusma, Naples, FL
01-31-2003	Ian R. Walker, Jacksonville, FL
12-24-2002	Thomas A. Brothers, Berkley, Michigan
12-20-2002	Octavio Sarmiento, Jr., Naples, Florida
12-12-2002	Manuel M. Vázquez
11-26-2002	Rev. Dr. Philius Nicolas, Brooklyn, New York
11-14-2002	California Speedway, Fontana, CA
10-29-2002	Mount Rushmore Broadcasting, Inc., KAWK(FM), Custer, SD
10-24-2002	Richard Muñoz, Naples, Florida
06-28-2002	James Leger, Lake Worth, FL
06-12-2002	Peninsula Communications, Inc., Various Locations in Alaska
06-06-2002	Thomas A. Brothers, Berkley, MI
06-05-2002	Rev. Dr. Philius Nicholas, Brooklyn, NY
02-06-2002	Peninsula Communications, Inc., Various Locations in Alaska
02-06-2002	Peninsula Communications, Inc., Various Locations in Alaska
01-04-2002	Alan-Leonard Brockway, Kalispell, Montana
08-29-2001	Peninsula Communications, Inc., Homer, Alaska
07-06-2001	Alan-Leonard Brockway, Kalispell, Montana
06-26-2001	Leslie D. Brewer, KC4HAZ, KAE1170
05-23-2001	Alan-Leonard Brockway, Kalispell, Montana
03-05-2001	Leslie D. Brewer
02-20-2001	Dr. John G. Pierre, Brooklyn, NY
02-09-2001	Richard I. Rowland, Longwood, FL
10-10-2000	KNFL, Inc., Tremonton, Utah
04-07-2000	James N. Dispoto, Ocala, Florida
03-29-2000	Mark H. Fulling, Garden City, Kansas
03-09-2000	Edwin Valentin d/b/a Musical Radio, Pontiac, Michigan
03-03-2000	Leslie D. Brewer, Tampa, Florida

Unauthorized Operation in Wireless and Satellite Services

04-13-2009	Bethune-Cookman College, Inc., Daytona Beach, FL
04-01-2009	Saga Radio Networks, LLC
03-11-2009	Lockheed Martin Corporation
03-06-2009	Discovery World Television, Inc.
03-03-2009	SES Americom, Inc.
12-19-2008	AMERI-KING Corporation, Huntington Beach, CA
11-25-2008	Honeywell International, Inc.
11-18-2008	Dale Lloyd Allred, Tunnel Hill, Georgia
09-08-2008	Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation
09-05-2008	NOVA Chemicals, Inc.
09-04-2008	Mathews Readymix LLC, Marysville, California
08-28-2008	Mathews Readymix LLC, Marysville, California
08-14-2008	OP LLC, TVCC One Six Holdings LLC
07-30-2008	Saga Radio Networks, LLC, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
07-18-2008	ABS-CBN International, Inc.
06-30-2008	John Doe, Largo, FL
06-24-2008	AMERI-KING Corporation, Huntington Beach, CA
05-07-2008	Side by Side, Inc., Toledo, Ohio
04-16-2008	Dakota Central Telecommunications Cooperative, Carrington, North Dakota
04-02-2008	Lockheed Martin Corporation, Clarksburg, Maryland
03-21-2008	Dwayne Simon, Lancaster, California
03-21-2008	Bravo Mic Communications, LLC, Las Cruces, New Mexico
03-13-2008	Presbyterian Hospital, Inc., New York, New York
03-06-2008	Ronald Mondgock, Honeybrook, Pennsylvania
02-22-2008	Compatible Electronics Inc., Silverado, CA
02-22-2008	AMERI-KING Corporation, Huntington Beach, CA
02-21-2008	Five Star Parking d/b/a Five Star Taxi Dispatch
01-30-2008	Able Infosat Communications, Inc.
01-28-2008	Side by Side, Inc., Toledo, Ohio
01-24-2008	Family Car Service, Inc., Brooklyn, NY
01-18-2008	Eliandro B.Ramos, Danbury, CT
01-10-2008	Miller Breweries East, Inc., Trenton, Ohio
01-09-2008	Cooperative Light & Power Association, Two Harbors, Minnesota
01-07-2008	Richmond Association d/b/a Hilltop Shopping Center, Richmond, California
12-27-2007	Ted Sakaida & Sons, Inc., Van Nuys, California
11-28-2007	Doss Aviation Inc.
11-19-2007	Yellow Cab Leasing, Inc., Canton, Ohio
11-19-2007	RSDC of Michigan, LLC, Holt, Michigan
10-25-2007	Five Star Parking d/b/a Five Star Taxi Dispatch
09-27-2007	Imperial Sugar Company, Sugar Land, Texas
08-24-2007	Walgreen Co., Mount Prospect, Illinois
08-24-2007	General Growth Properties, Waterbury, Connecticut
07-10-2007	Yellow Cab Leasing, Inc., Canton, Ohio
07-03-2007	Scientific Games Racing, LLC
06-29-2007	Kimberly Clark Corporation, Dallas, Texas
06-22-2007	Telenor Satellite, Inc.
06-19-2007	Carnival Cruise Lines Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico
05-31-2007	Ted Sakaida & Sons, Inc., Van Nuys, California
05-22-2007	New Relampago Car Service Corp., Brooklyn, NY
05-22-2007	Mobile Car Service Inc., Brooklyn, NY
05-18-2007	Kimberly Clark Corporation, Dallas, Texas
05-15-2007	Doss Aviation Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas
04-25-2007	Hare Planting Co., Inc., Newport, Arkansas
04-12-2007	RSDC of Michigan, LLC, Holt, Michigan
04-12-2007	Jennie Stuart Medical Center, Hopkinsville, Kentucky
04-05-2007	Cooperative Light & Power Association, Two Harbors, Minnesota
04-02-2007	General Growth Properties, Waterbury, Connecticut
04-02-2007	Parker Construction, Inc., Panama City, FL
03-29-2007	Mitchell Electric Membership Cooperative, Camilla, Georgia
03-29-2007	DirecTV Enterprises, LLC, El Segundo, CA
03-15-2007	Imperial Sugar Company, Sugar Land, Texas
03-02-2007	Lockheed Martin Corporation, Clarksburg, Maryland
03-01-2007	Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
02-23-2007	Kimberly Clark Corporation
02-16-2007	Larry J. Duckworth, Cordele, Georgia
02-14-2007	La Carpa Corporation, Cayey, Puerto Rico
01-11-2007	Alltel Corporation
12-28-2006	ESP Leasing Corporation, Brookfield, Illinois
11-22-2006	Hare Planting Co., Inc., Newport, Arkansas
10-30-2006	New Jersey Broadband, LP, New Jersey Broadband, LLC
09-14-2006	Pacnet Incorporated, San Diego (San Ysidro), California
09-14-2006	Pacnet Incorporated, San Diego (Otay), California
09-12-2006	Uniradio Corporation, San Diego, California
08-25-2006	More Enterprises Communications Network, Inc., San Diego, California
08-25-2006	Kojo Worldwide Corporation, San Diego, California
08-25-2006	Anderson Desk Company, San Diego, California
08-03-2006	Lazer Broadcasting Corporation, Oxnard, California
07-10-2006	Gene A. Fricke, Nashua, New Hampshire
06-29-2006	American General Finance, Inc., Evansville, Indiana
06-05-2006	Gilmore Broadcasting Corporation, Evansville, Indiana
04-14-2006	National Weather Networks, Inc., Jackson, Mississippi
02-28-2006	Pacific Spanish Network, Inc., Chula Vista, California
11-22-2005	Journal Broadcast Corporation, Las Vegas, Nevada
11-17-2005	Shared Data Networks, LLC, Charlotte, North Carolina
09-01-2005	Bee Taxi Corporation, New Rochelle, NY
08-29-2005	Jeremy R. Riels
06-21-2005	Scottie E. Kennedy, Greenbrier, Arkansas
06-14-2005	World Radio Network, Inc., McAllen, Texas
06-07-2005	Pembroke Square Associates, Virginia Beach, VA
06-06-2005	Danny R. McKinney, Bigelow, Arkansas
03-04-2005	Jack Gerritsen
02-18-2005	Tommie Salter, Jacksonville, Florida
02-09-2005	Pang Cheng, d/b as Best Wok1
12-21-2004	Echonet Corporation, K49AY, Cheyenne, Wyoming
12-01-2004	Western Wireless Corporation and WWC Holding Co., Inc.
11-09-2004	RW Shop, Inc. and Donald Mayer, Pepperell, Massachusetts
10-05-2004	Jack Gerritsen, Bell, California
09-22-2004	Global Radio, Inc., New York, New York
09-10-2004	ESI Companies, Inc.
09-09-2004	Jeffrey Amedro dba Cell Page, Morgantown, West Virginia
09-09-2004	ESI Companies, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee
07-29-2004	Servisair, Newark, New Jersey
07-29-2004	Arnold Broadcasting Company, KNEC(FM), Yuma, Colorado
06-07-2004	Parkway Luxury Ride, Inc., Mt. Vernon, New York
05-21-2004	Best Wok, Westville, New Jersey
05-07-2004	Accessory Connection, Inc., Palm Bay, Florida
02-05-2004	Alpha Ambulance, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico
11-19-2003	Gateway Security Systems, Inc., Jamaica, NY
09-26-2003	Nextel WIP License Corp., Palehua Ridge, Hawaii
07-22-2003	Everald Oliver Brown, Orlando, Florida
06-24-2003	Amethyst International, Inc., Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey
05-14-2003	Alpha Ambulance, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico
05-14-2003	Mexicana Car and Limousine Services, Jackson Heights, NY
05-12-2003	Western Wireless Corporation and WWC Holding Co., Inc.
05-09-2003	J Transport, Inc., Paterson, New Jersey
05-01-2003	Blue Ridge Erectors, Inc.
02-06-2003	Accessory Connection Inc., Palm Bay, Florida
01-31-2003	International Car Service, Inc., Brooklyn, NY
12-23-2002	Alpha Ambulance, Inc., San Juan, PR
06-06-2002	Networx Corporation, Pittsford, NY
03-28-2002	Javier Rodriguez, Boqueron, Puerto Rico
12-26-2001	David Edwin Merrell, Wichita Falls, TX
12-17-2001	Jeffrey Alan Pettrey, Princeton, WV
11-13-2001	Klaus D. Kramer, Oklahoma City, OK
11-08-2001	Carmelita T. Gossard d/b/a AA Beep, Cudjoe Key, FL
11-07-2001	WWC License LLC, Kansas
10-31-2001	Data Investments, Inc. d/b/a Star Communications, Cape Girardeau, MO
08-08-2001	Califormula, Inc., Chula Vista, CA
08-01-2001	Falcon Radio, Inc., Denver, CO
07-06-2001	Joshie Yasin Nakamura, Sr., East Palo Alto, CA
06-07-2001	WWC License LLC, WPJD256, WPJE660 and WPJA761, Kansas
04-23-2001	Waste Management Holdings, Inc.
04-19-2001	Colorado Callcomm, Inc., Denver, CO
04-19-2001	Carmelita T. Gossard d/b/a AA Beep, Cudjoe Key, FL
04-11-2001	Data Investments, Inc. d/b/a Star Communications, Cape Girardeau, MO
03-21-2001	Page-Comm, Leavenworth, TX
03-06-2001	Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
02-21-2001	Ohio Bell Telephone Company, Dayton, OH
02-15-2001	AT&T Wireless PCS, Inc., Washington, D.C.
02-15-2001	Commercial Radio Service Corp., Virginia & North Carolina
02-14-2001	Checkpoint of Pennsylvania, Inc., Williamsport, PA
02-14-2001	Joe L. Ford, d/b/a/ Ford Communications
02-12-2001	Califormula, Inc., Chula Vista, CA
02-09-2001	Oregon Pacific Railroad Company, Milwaukie, OR
02-09-2001	Econopage of Cleveland, Inc., Columbus, OH
02-01-2001	Verizon Florida, Inc., Tampa, FL
01-25-2001	Verizon Southwest, Inc., Juno, Texas
01-22-2001	Carmelita T. Gossard d/b/a AA Beep, Cudjoe Key, Florida
01-04-2001	Hormigonera Chaparro, Inc., Aguada, PR
12-14-2000	Checkpoint of Pennsylvania, Inc., Williamsport, PA
12-11-2000	Commercial Radio Service Corp.
11-29-2000	The Ohio Bell Telephone Company, Dayton, OH
11-29-2000	PAGE-COMM, Leavenworth, Texas
11-29-2000	Joe L. Ford, d/b/a Ford Communications
11-29-2000	Data Investments, Inc. d/b/a Star Communications
11-28-2000	Colorado Small Business Development Assoc., Inc. (WPHX776), Westall Communications d/b/a M.T.W. (WPHI656), Denver, Colorado
11-09-2000	Leonard D. Martin, Houston, TX
10-27-2000	OnSat Network Communications, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah
10-23-2000	US Unwired, Inc., Various Locations in Louisiana
10-17-2000	Econopage of Cleveland, Inc.
10-10-2000	Carmelita T. Gossard, Cudjoe Key, Florida
10-10-2000	Oregon Pacific Railroad Company, Milwaukie, OR
10-10-2000	Robert L. Meyers, Houston, TX
07-31-2000	SouthEast Telephone, Inc., Pikeville, KY
07-18-2000	Taco Time, Rock Springs, Wyoming
07-12-2000	Leonard D. Martin, Houston, TX
05-26-2000	Jean R. Jonassaint, Orlando, Florida
02-10-2000	Bruce Alesso, Brick, NJ

Relevant News Releases

FCC Investigation Leads to Arrest of Unlicensed Amateur Radio Operator
FCC Investigation Leads to Arrest of Unlicensed FM Radio Operator
Virginia Man Indicted for Operating Unlicensed FM Broadcast Station

Relevant Court Decisions

U.S.A. v. Stephen Paul Dunifer; US Court of Appeals

Complaints

Written complaints alleging violations of Section 301 of the Communications Act should be sent to the Federal Communications Commission, Enforcement Bureau, Spectrum Enforcement Division, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. Complaints should include the name of the operator, if known, how the station identifies itself, the location of the station, the operating frequency, the type of station being operated, and whether the station's operation is causing interference.

For complaints involving unlicensed amateur radio operations, please click here.

For complaints involving unlicensed broadcast station operations, please click here.