Elimination of the FCC?

[intermod]

Does anyone know what gives the federal government the right to get involved in local wireless communications - or their justification to even exist as an agency?

I can understand that they could justify involvement in long-distance HF, and any wireless signals that cross state or international borders (i.e., commerce clause, etc.).

But I operate on UHF where the signals don't cross any state or international border. 

Their authority to exist is not defined in the US Constitution (of course).  Thus, this responsibility should either fall to the State, or the People. 

[SteveShannon]

12 minutes ago, intermod said:

But I operate on UHF where the signals don't cross any state or international border.

 

That’s amazing!  How do they know when to stop?

[OffRoaderX]

Congress gave the FCC the right to get involved in local wireless communications, as well as justification to exist as an agency when they passed the Communications Act of 1934.

And just FYI, complaining/arguing/chest-beating about it in an online forum wont change anything - If you really want to change/eliminate the FCC start by contacting your congressman or an attorney.

[PRadio]

I don't know, without the FCC I can see all sorts of issues related to interference of aviation communications, not a good thing. Interference with police communications, railroad, emergency medical communications, etc. They also oversee and regulate spurious emissions from electronic devices. Are you sure you want a free for all? 

[WRXB215]

I'm not a big fan of government intervention but the government does have it's place and serves a purpose. @PRadio pointed out some very good reasons why we need the FCC. Without them, you probably wouldn't be able to watch the big game on your TV.

[intermod]

30 minutes ago, Sshannon said:

 

That’s amazing!  How do they know when to stop?

  We simply use the magnetic field versus the electric field as a measurement basis.  It falls off much faster with distance.  

[intermod]

28 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Congress gave the FCC the legal authority to exist in 1934 when they passed the Communications Act of 1934.

And just FYI, complaining/arguing/chest-beating about it in an online forum wont change anything - If you really want to change/eliminate the FCC start by contacting your congressman or an attorney.

Correct, but any law in violation of the Constitution is null and void on its face ("pretend legislation").   

[intermod]

16 minutes ago, PRadio said:

I don't know, without the FCC I can see all sorts of issues related to interference of aviation communications, not a good thing. Interference with police communications, railroad, emergency medical communications, etc. They also oversee and regulate spurious emissions from electronic devices. Are you sure you want a free for all? 

Agree that some bands that are used over state lines need general administration - or those that involve life-safety.  

Spurious are the same as non-spurious:  if they don't cross a border, then its not their responsibility. 

This is not a binary choice (regulation versus free-for-all).  Each state may have unique wireless needs that they could address - interior to the state - away from the edges - that would add flexibility.    

[OffRoaderX]

1 minute ago, intermod said:

Correct, but any law in violation of the Constitution is null and void on its face ("pretend legislation").   

As an internet legal scholar and couch-based constitutional expert, you should know that complaining about it here is not going to accomplish anything other a bunch of back and forth verbal & grammatical masturbation.

[SteveShannon]

Just imagine if all the radio spectrum were unregulated. It would be like CB!

 

[intermod]

2 hours ago, Sshannon said:

Just imagine if all the radio spectrum were unregulated. It would be like CB!

 

I though this was just someone messing with the camera - but then I heard the voice modulation in the recording....cool. 

Further - Imagine if the Great State of California tried to manage radio spectrum. 

     

[intermod]

3 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

As an internet legal scholar and couch-based constitutional expert, you should know that complaining about it here is not going to accomplish anything other a bunch of back and forth verbal & grammatical masturbation.

Excellent term.  Agree - such topics are truly meant to trigger g-m.  Its so effective.....

 

[WRKC935]

Gee, couldn't get anywhere finding someone dumb enough to petition the FCC for DMR or some other digital modulation format on GMRS , so you decide to bring up the question of the actual existence of the FCC.  DO you actually work for a living or are you stuck in your house, just sitting there figuring out new ways to post stuff on the web to wind up the masses and cause trouble? 

 

I said this before, if YOU don't like the service, find a different one.  Or go entertain yourself with freeband, pirating on commercial frequencies, or just put Zello on your cell phone and use that.  It's become clear that you are not here to have a reasonable conversation about any topic that resembles reality and instead just post things that will stir up the best result. 

Welcome to the ignore list.  You have joined a rare bunch that up to now only included OffroaderX.  May the two of you find happiness in limbo.

 

[Guest]

No FCC ?!?

Finally, all the violence , nudity , and obscenity I always wanted on the airwaves - unfortunately, nobody can watch that or any program because the left-or-right wing extremist down the road just started his own tv station ...

 

[WRYZ926]

With no FCC then all bands would be like CB is now days or how FRS can be at times..

[Guest]

It seems that ChatGPT in the FCC's side ... or is the bot just playing nice and actually afraid of being regulated by the FCC ?!?

"The FCC controls various aspects of communications in the United States, such as:

- Licensing and regulating the use of radio frequencies for broadcasting, wireless communications, and public safety.
- Promoting competition and innovation in the telecommunications industry by enforcing antitrust laws, preventing market domination, and ensuring fair access to networks and services.
- Protecting consumers from harmful or deceptive practices by communications providers, such as robocalls, spam, fraud, and privacy violations.
- Preserving and advancing the public interest in media and information, such as promoting diversity, localism, education, and accessibility.
- Responding to emergencies and threats to national security by coordinating with other agencies, ensuring reliable communications, and managing the Emergency Alert System." - Bing Chat bot

[intermod]

1 hour ago, WRKC935 said:

Welcome to the ignore list.  You have joined a rare bunch that up to now only included OffroaderX.  May the two of you find happiness in limb.

Uh - you followed *me* here. 

Please add me to the list.  OffroaderX can't be too bad if he studies the Constitution.        

Did you have any comments on what in our Constitution authorizes the FCC to exist?  

[AdmiralCochrane]

Dang, time for a 2fer 

[WRQC527]

5 hours ago, Sshannon said:

Just imagine if all the radio spectrum were unregulated. It would be like CB!

Ah yes. The infamous CB Keydown competitions. I've said it here before, I'll say it again. Keydown competitions are what's missing from GMRS.

[WRQC527]

7 hours ago, intermod said:

Does anyone know what gives the federal government the right to get involved in local wireless communications - or their justification to even exist as an agency?

There's a little-known Constitutional amendment, the 28th, I think it is, that says "This amendment gives the Federal Government the right to get involved in local wireless communications. And justification to even exist as an agency."

[WRXB215]

13 hours ago, WRXD372 said:

ChatGPT

"and a healthy suspicion against algorithms"

[SteveShannon]

The powers provided in Article 1, Section 8 laid the foundation for creation of  various government agencies, bureaus, and commissions, including the FCC.  Without regulation, telecommunications, which of course hadn’t been conceived at the time the constitution was written, could affect defense, commerce, and general welfare.  The following paragraphs are those which are most clearly related, allowing for the natural evolution of context.  Invisible waves traveling through the air can be understood to be a logical successor to the concept of commerce on the high seas: 

1. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

3. To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

10. To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

and

18. To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Commissions, Bureaus, and other regulatory agencies are created in order to provide for the general welfare of the United States.

[WRTJ886]

3 minutes ago, Sshannon said:

The powers provided in Article 1, Section 8 laid the foundation for creation of  various government agencies, bureaus, and commissions, including the FCC.  Without regulation, telecommunications, which of course hadn’t been conceived at the time the constitution was written, could affect defense, commerce, and general welfare.  The following paragraphs are those which are most clearly related, allowing for the natural evolution of context.  Invisible waves traveling through the air can be understood to be a logical successor to the concept of commerce on the high seas: 

1. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

3. To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

10. To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

and

18. To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Commissions, Bureaus, and other regulatory agencies are created in order to provide for the general welfare of the United States.

Sovereign citizens usually don't put a lot of weight into the general welfare clause.

[SteveShannon]

1 minute ago, WRTJ886 said:

Sovereign citizens usually don't put a lot of weight into the general welfare clause.

And judges don’t put a lot of weight into the “sovereign citizen” argument.

[WRTJ886]

2 minutes ago, Sshannon said:

And judges don’t put a lot of weight into the “sovereign citizen” argument.

Thankfully, you're right.  Unfortunately, we still have to deal with them on the internet.