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I don't know how big HobbyKing is, and surely agree than the RF spectrum is a fragile limited resource that we must use properly, and therefore abuses must be p
by squarefoot 5y ago
I don't know how big HobbyKing is, and surely agree than the RF spectrum is a fragile limited resource that we must use properly, and therefore abuses must be punished, however $3M seems a lot. That fine could destroy a business and send home a lot of people, probably none of which have any responsibility on the matter. Did the FCC at least give HobbyKing the chance to withdraw those products?
- zaarn 5y agoThey did. Multiple times. HobbyKing went on the ol' "You have no jurisdiction" route, or tried to. Additionally, the devices interefered with Aircraft and GPS Frequencies. If you jammed around in a less sensitive band (ie, blocked something non-vital), they might close an eye or two over it. But GPS and Airtraffic Frequencies is where any regulation agency on this planet will bring the hammer down because accidents caused by that would be quite costly in lives and money.
- wrycoder 5y agoSome people are surprised to learn that, when it comes to unauthorized emissions, you don't mess with the FCC. They will hammer you.
- kayfox 5y agoThe FCC doesn't hand out big fines to companies that go "oops, my bad, heres how I am fixing it" they hand out big fines to companies that refuse to acknowledge that there is a problem and refuse to correct it. HobbyKing refused to acknowledge the issue, the FCC's jurisdiction, or make any attempt to resolve this issue, so they get a big fine. The FCC probably doesn't expect this fine to be paid, instead its part of an effort to block the importation of this stuff into the US.