After locating a station and issuing a warning, FCC investigators can obtain a warrant and seize any equipment related to the broadcasts. Agents monitor the airwaves regularly, but are more likely to seek out unlicensed stations following complaints of interference. But Doon says the FCC has not visited the station since. SF Liberation Radio founder Edmondson says the reaction to his station has been overwhelmingly positive. The only opposition, he says, has come from the FCC and licensed broadcasters.
People believe deeply in their right to free speech.
Dunifer helped set up radio stations in Haiti while the military regime was still in power. And when the government of El Salvador raided 11 community radio stations in December and seized their equipment, Dunifer was called upon to help them build new transmitters. Dunifer began broadcasting at 88.1FM from his Berkeley apartment on April 11, 1993. FCC agents tuned in on his broadcasts and, in early May, followed the signal to his Berkeley apartment. They approached Dunifer, seeking to inspect his transmitter, but were refused.