Report No. CI 97-7     COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATION ACTION       August 22, 1997


             FCC SHUTS DOWN UNLICENSED RADIO OPERATION IN
                        FORT WALTON BEACH, FL

                                   
     The FCC has taken swift action in terminating an unlicensed radio station operation in
Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

     Acting on complaints from the public and licensed broadcasters in the area, agents of the
FCC's Compliance and Information Bureau (CIB) pinpointed the location of the signal, and
requested and received access to inspect the station.   No FCC license had been issued for the
station.   Subsequently, Mr. James Pierrilus of 603 Colonial Drive, the station operator,
voluntarily handed over his transmitter to the FCC officials, thereby ending the operation.  Mr.
Pierrilus had operated the illegal transmitter on frequency 89.9 MHz from his apartment.

     Under Commission rules, radio transmitting devices, other than low powered devices
operated in accordance with Part 15 of the Commission's Rules, may be operated only upon the
issuance of an FCC license covering such equipment.   Unlicensed operation may subject the
operator to serious penalties provided for in the Communications Act, including a civil fine of
$11,000 or imprisonment for up to one year or both for a first time offense.   Unlicensed
operation may also subject the violator to sanctions such as seizure of the equipment by court
order. 

     In general, unlicensed radio transmissions create a danger of interference to important
authorized radio communications services.  Such transmissions using equipment of unknown
technical integrity raise a particular concern because of  the potential for harmful interference to
authorized services, including public safety communication and aircraft frequencies. 

     According to Commission officials, no further FCC enforcement action is planned at this
time because Pierrilus voluntarily surrendered his illegal transmitter.


                                -FCC-

     News Media Contact:  Maureen Peratino at (202) 418-0500
     Compliance and Information Bureau contact:  Magalie R. Salas at (202) 418-1150