[SOC] CQ Magazine Calls on FCC to Resume Amateur Enforcement

[Mike Besemer (WM4B)]

I didn't realize that Riley's job was still vacant, nor had I heard about
the Tom-foolery on 20 meters.  I guess the mice will play while the cat is
away.   Has anybody been hearing any of this stuff?

FWIW, it appears that 160 meters is still "the gentleman's band".  If you
can get enough wire in the air, it's a great place to hang out now that the
atmosphere is getting quieter.

73,

Mike
WM4B

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NEWS RELEASE

 For more information, contact:
 Richard Moseson (W2VU)
 Editor, CQ Amateur Radio
 (516) 681-2922 / w2vu at cq-amateur-radio.com

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2008

 CQ Magazine Calls on FCC to Resume Amateur Enforcement

 (Hicksville, NY November 18, 2008) -- CQ magazine is calling on FCC
Enforcement Bureau Chief Kris Monteith to move swiftly to name a successor
 to Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, as Special Counsel for Amateur Radio, and to
bring FCC enforcement back to the ham bands.

 Writing in his "Zero Bias" editorial in the December 2008 issue, CQ Editor
Rich Moseson, W2VU, noted that the Commission not only has failed to name
 A successor to Hollingsworth, but that not a single amateur enforcement
action has been taken since his retirement this past July. At that time, the
 editorial noted, the amateur radio community was assured that the
Commission's dedication to enhanced enforcement in the Amateur Service
 remains strong. However, the FCC's total inaction since July suggests
otherwise.

 "This is deeply disturbing and of grave concern," wrote Moseson, adding,
"It would be a tragedy, and a travesty, if the FCC were to go back on its
 promise to be there for us and allowed amateur enforcement to once again
drop off the radar."

 "The need for continuing amateur enforcement was reinforced after the issue
was went to press when CQ was informed of an outburst of racist diatribes
 on 20 meters, including the transmission of recordings of a Hitler rally
and Nazi marching songs. "This type of behavior was all too common before
 'Sheriff' Riley came to town a decade ago," noted Moseson, "and it quickly
disappeared once it became obvious that someone in authority was paying
 attention. But now, only a matter of months since Riley handed in his
badge, it has become obvious to these hams that they are once again free to
do
 whatever they please without fear of any consequences."

 "The FCC must get back into the amateur enforcement business, and it must
do so quickly," says Moseson, "before the situation once again gets out of
 control. Enforcement Bureau Chief Monteith must act promptly to name a
successor to Riley Hollingsworth and assure amateurs that they have not
 once again been abandoned by the Commission."

 The full text of Moseson's editorial is online at
<www.cq-amateur-radio.com>, linked from the December issue highlights.