The FCC has upheld an $80,000 fine against Thomas Barnes, the operator of an unlicensed Oregon pirate radio station on 100.5 FM in La Grande. Despite warnings and voluntary surrenders of transmitters, Barnes persisted. In March 2022, his wife also surrendered two transmitters. Barnes openly admitted his actions on Facebook, claiming the FCC couldn’t stop him unless he was incarcerated. The FCC deemed his behavior deliberate and noted repeated warnings since 2018. The fine, initially proposed in March, has now been finalized. Barnes’ unauthorized operation continued despite ample notice of its illegality.
The Spirit of Local Broadcasting
