CB Shop Issued $7000 NAL For Selling Uncertified Radios

The Hightech CB Shop of Jacksonville, Florida, has been hit with a proposed $7000 fine. This, by offering for sale a non-certified Citizens Band transceiver.

Back on December 13th of 2004, the Tampa FCC Office received a complaint about the marketing of illegal, non FCC certified devices by Hightech at its shop. This past February 4th, agents from the Tampa Office visited the Hightech CB Shop and observed several radio transceivers offered for sale on display shelves. One of the agents examined a model called the Connex 3300 HP. The agent observed that the device did not have any markings or labels that identified the radio as an FCC certified device.

The agent then told a shop employee that he was interested in making a purchase and requested more information about the radio. The shop employee identified the transceiver as a 10-Meter amateur band radio and offered to sell the device to the agent for $239.00. The employee stated that the Connex models could be easily modified to operate on CB frequencies, that the store accepted credit card payments, and that the radio could be delivered by mail.

As part of their investigation, an FCC agent visited the store again on February 7th. The Tampa Office investigator again requested information about the Connex 3300 HP transceiver. Shop employees again offered to sell the unit to the agent for $239.00.

Based on its findings, the FCC has concluded that the Hightech CB Shop was apparently willfully and repeatedly in violation of Section 302(b) of the Communications Act and Section 2.803(a) of the FCC Rules. This, by offering for sale non-certified CB transceivers. It affixed the penalty at $7000. It also gave the store owners 30 days to pay or to file an appeal. (FCC)

Source: Amateur Radio Newsline 1455