Source: http://www.fcc.gov/document/directlink-llc-0?fontsize=largeFont
Timestamp: 2015-01-26 02:35:18
Document Index: 602855655

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 15', '§ 301', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 15', 'art 15']

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DA 14-224
In the Matter of )) Directlink, LLC
) File No: EB-FIELDWR-12-00002815) NAL/Acct. No.: 201332800001
Parker, Colorado )
In this Forfeiture Order (Order), we issue a monetary forfeiture in the amount of twenty
thousand dollars ($20,000) to Directlink, LLC1 (Directlink), operator of an Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) transmission system in Elizabeth, Colorado, for willful and repeated violation of Sections 301 and 302(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, (Act) 2 and Sections 15.1(b) and 15.1(c) of the Commission’s rules (Rules).3 The violations involved Directlink’s operation of an intentional radiator without a license and in a manner inconsistent with Part 15 of the Rules4 and the device’s equipment authorization.5 II. BACKGROUND
On January 4, 2013, the Enforcement Bureau’s Denver Office (Denver Office) issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order (NAL)6 to Directlink for its operation of a U-NIIdevice on a frequency for which the device was not authorized and without a license. As discussed in detail in the NAL in this case,7 on January 10, 2012, while searching for the source of interference to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) serving the DenverInternational Airport, Denver Office agents used direction-finding techniques to determine that radio emissions on frequency 5630 MHz were emanating from the Red Fox Circle communications site in 1 Directlink, LLC, holds three FCC licenses for microwave operations (call signs WQPL428, WQPL429, and WQPL430).2 47 U.S.C. §§ 301, 302a(b).3 47 C.F.R. § 15.1(b), (c).4 47 C.F.R. §§ 15.1 et seq.5 47 C.F.R. §§ 15.1, 15.407. 6 Directlink, LLC, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 37 (Enf. Bur. 2013) (NAL). A comprehensive recitation of the facts and history of this case can be found in the NAL and is incorporated herein by reference.7 See 28 FCC Rcd at 38–40, paras 2–4. Federal Communications Commission
Elizabeth, Colorado.8 On January 12, 2012, the agents used those same techniques in combination withDirectlink’s involvement to confirm that the interference was emanating from the U-NII transmission system operated by Directlink.9 On January 12, 2012, an FCC agent’s telephone call to the FAA confirmed that the U-NII interference had ceased when Directlink changed its center frequency from 5630 MHz to5785 MHz during the Denver Office investigation. The U-NII system utilized a transceiver module, model Rocket M5, an intentional radiator manufactured by Ubiquiti Networks, Inc.10 The FCC Equipment Authorization for the Ubiquiti Rocket M5 transceiver limits the device to operations within a frequency range of 5745 MHz to 5825 MHz.11 During the inspection, however, the FCC agents observed that the transceiver was operating on a center frequency of 5630 MHz, which is outside the authorized frequency range of the device. Subsequently, Directlink remotely adjusted the device’s operating frequency from 5630 MHz to 5785 MHz which ceased the interference impacting the Denver TDWR installation.12
In order to avoid interference to the FAA’s TDWR installations, the Commission requires that U-NII devices operating in the 5.25 – 5.35 GHz and 5.47 – 5.725 GHz bands have Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) radar detection functionality, which allows them to detect the presence of radar systems and avoid co-channel operations with radar systems.13 As the inspection continued on January 12, 2012, FCC agents also observed and were advised by Directlink’s representative that the transceiver was not operating with DFS functionality.
Directlink submitted a response to the NAL requesting cancellation or reduction of the proposed $25,000 forfeiture,14 asserting that it was entitled to a citation or warning prior to the NAL;15 that there were no aggravating factors that required an upward adjustment of the forfeiture;16 that the 8 The unauthorized emissions on frequency 5630 MHz impacted the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) system that serves the Denver International Airport. TDWR installations exist at 45 major airports in the United States and Puerto Rico. These radar installations assist air traffic controllers in detecting low-altitude wind shear that can pose a risk to aircraft. See MIT Lincoln Laboratories, http://www.ll.mit.edu/mission/aviation/faawxsystems/tdwr.html (last visited June 15, 2012).9 47 C.F.R. § 15.403(s) (defining U-NII devices as “[i]ntentional radiators operating in the frequency bands 5.15-5.35 GHz and 5.470-5.825 GHz that use wideband digital modulation techniques and provide a wide array of high data rate mobile and fixed communications for individuals, businesses, and institutions”). Although Directlink’s device was not authorized to operate in the U-NII bands, it was subject to the U-NII rules (47 C.F.R. 15.401-15.407) because Directlink operated it as a U-NII device.10 The device was a Ubiquiti model Rocket M5, FCC ID SWX-M5. Ubiquiti Networks, Inc., was issued a Grant of Equipment Authorization for the Rocket M5 by MET Laboratories, Inc., under the authority of the FCC, on August 14, 2009.11 The Equipment Authorization for the Ubiquiti Rocket M5 transceiver states that the device is certified for use pursuant to Part 15, Subpart C of the Rules (Intentional Radiators). The datasheet published by Ubiquiti for the Rocket M5 states that the device can operate in the 5470-5825 MHz band, noting that “[o]nly 5745 - 5825 MHz is supported in the USA” and that “[i]t is the installers responsibility to follow local country regulations including operation within legal frequency channels, output power, and Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) requirements.” Ubiquiti Networks Rocket M Datasheet, 2011, at 7 and 10 (Rocket M Datasheet).12 Directlink changed the operating frequency of this system from 5630 MHz to 5785