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As most of you have heard we have a pretty serious situation here in the USA. Earlier in the year several licensed amateur radio operators received warning cards from an Official Observer, Ken Coughlin N8KC from Michigan. The warnings were for transmitting out of band. Some of the QSO's he was reporting on he actually heard and other he only saw a spot on the internet and sent the warning based on that. It is obvious that Mr. Coughlin has been investigating 11 meter operators in the USA for some time, gathering whatever information he can from various websites (directories, cluster spots & addresses via QRZ11 and other similar websites).
In November, a majority of the licensed amateurs that had received warning cards from Mr. Couglin then received letters from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) which required them to either call in, or respond via letter within 10 days of receiving the letter. The letter indicates that you could receive a fine of $7,500 to $10,000, confiscation of equipment and possibility of jail time (prison).
Within the past 2 weeks, non licensed operators on 11 meters have started to receive these same letters from the FCC. It is unknown how many operators have received these letters but I know it is at least 20 from various clubs like AT, SD, DA, ET & possibly even KP. This letter from the FCC is basically a final warning.
It is very sad that Mr. Coughlin has such a vendetta against 11 meter operators. Who are we harming ? Although the frequencies we talk on are freeband, they certainly are not in use by anyone. Our communications are not interfering with anyone. Most 11 meter operators are very passionate about the radio.
Any Op in USA that continues to transmit knowing all this is crazy. If you hear one of these crazy operators please do NOT spot your QSO on any cluster, including the AT Cluster. Do not record/post videos of these QSO's. Don't mention the QSO on Facebook. If you work someone from USA just keep it to yourself.
It has been a great pleasure to speak with many of you and become radio friends over the past 20+ years. I will truly miss being active on 11. It makes me sick just thinking about not having anymore QSO's with my friends, not working the incredible activations on 11 and not bringing new Islands to the air for everyone.
I will continue to keep in touch on this forum, on facebook and on cluster.dk chat. As far as I am concerned, I will always be an Alfa Tango Member. I wish you all the best of luck with the hobby and I pray that Mr. Coughlin gets what he has coming to him someday soon.