Report No. CI 99-7    COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATION ACTION       February 16, 1999


      FCC CLOSES AN UNLICENSED RADIO STATION IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

     The FCC, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service and the United States Attorney's
Office, seized radio transmission equipment used in the operation of an unlicensed FM radio
station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 1, 1999.

     The illegal radio station was operating on FM frequency 88.5 MHZ.  The FCC determined
that the unlicensed radio station was operating at power levels as high as 168 times in excess of
permitted power levels for non-licensed broadcasting.  The seizure of the equipment followed
FCC warnings to the operator about the penalties for unauthorized operations, and attempts by
FCC agents to have the station voluntarily discontinue transmissions.

     The FCC urges operators of all unlicensed stations to voluntarily cease their illegal
broadcasting operations.  Unlicensed or unauthorized operation of a radio transmitter or station
(AM, FM, International Short Wave and TV) is a violation of Section 301 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.  301.  Under the Communications Act, violators may be
subject to penalties up to $11,000 and the equipment used is subject to seizure and forfeiture by
court order.  Unlicensed operators also could be subject to criminal fines of up to $100,000
and/or imprisonment for up to one year, or both, for a first-time offense.

                                                             -FCC-

News media contact:  David H. Fiske at (202) 418-0500
Compliance and Information Bureau contact: Pamera Hairston at (202) 418-1160; 
TTY (888) 835-5322