Feds allege ‘pirate’ station hiding at Spaceport America

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau alleges that pirate frequencies are operating out of FAA-licensed Spaceport America in Sierra County near Truth or Consequences. 

“An Agent from the Denver Office confirmed that unauthorized radio signals were transmitted on frequencies 95.3 MHzx and 96.3 MHz from the Spaceport America property located between Las Cruces and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, between June 21 and June 25, 2022 during the Spaceport America Cup 2022 event,” the FCC wrote on May 24, 2023.

“Enabled with new powers by Congress under the industry-friendly PIRATE Act, the FCC has recently been dispatching a sheaf of enforcement letters like this, targeting a station catering to New York City Ecuadorians and another pirate radio station allegedly transmitting from a church,” reported 5mag.net. 

“The letter — typically the first notice of an open investigation and warning prior to enforcement — states that continued broadcasting from the site may result in a fine in excess of $2 million.” 

RadioInk.com adds, “FCC agents have determined that exceptions for low-powered devices do not apply in this case, potentially constituting a violation of the Communications Act of 1934.” 

The Spaceport opened in 2011 and is owned and operated by the New Mexico State Land Office, but it does not have an FCC license to broadcast on either alleged frequency.