Media Release, 25 May 2010
Ministry of Economic Development, Radio Spectrum Management
Amateur radio operator charged
Radio Spectrum Management recently prosecuted Amateur Radio Operator Alan Potter for transmitting outside the terms and
conditions of the General User Radio Licence for Amateur Radio Operators.
The radio spectrum is an important resource for New Zealand and a key part of Radio Spectrum Management’s work is to
ensure responsible use of the radio spectrum in a way that doesn’t cause interference to other users.
All amateur radio operators are required to gain a qualification that covers the risks and harmful effects of
interference from their transmitting equipment. This includes the risks associated with transmitting at high power
levels.
“As a qualified amateur operator, Mr Potter is well aware of the risks but has chosen to ignore them”, says Chris
Brennan, Compliance Manager for Radio Spectrum Management.
“This behaviour is unacceptable. Radio Spectrum Management are serious about protecting the radio spectrum for all
users; we are continually monitoring and enforcing radio spectrum compliance, which includes prosecution when
necessary”.
Radio Spectrum Management was alerted to a video Mr Potter posted on ‘You Tube’, a well known online video sharing site,
which showed his transmitter operating at 3100 Watts. Operating at such high transmitting power is likely to cause
interference to, and disruption of, a range of other licensed radio services in the local area.
Radio Spectrum Management’s role is to protect the public good by ensuring equipment capable of transmitting radio waves
complies with the terms, conditions and restrictions of radio licences and International standards applicable in New
Zealand.
Conviction and charge
Mr Potter was charged in the Christchurch District Court on 14 April. He was found guilty of breaching section 113 of
the Radiocommunications Act 1989. He was fined $1,750 and $130 for costs, plus he has been required to forfeit his radio
equipment.
For the purposes of section 113, any person who erects, constructs, establishes, maintains, or is in possession of any
radio transmitter is presumed to have used the radio transmitter. In this case, Mr Potter was found in possession of
radio transmitting equipment that was capable of operating at a significantly higher power than the Amateur Radio
Operators General Licence allows.
ENDS