For the second time this month the FCC has cited a retailer — Radio Master, a CB shop catering to truckers — for illegally marketing unauthorized RF devices. According to a Citation and Order released August 20, FCC agents from its Dallas office in February inspected the Radio Master shop at a truck stop in Rockwall, Texas, where they observed a used Palomar 250 RF amplifier offered for sale.

“The unit did not have an FCC identification number to confirm that the model had been granted an FCC certification,” the Citation said, noting that under its Part 2 rules, external RF power amplifiers capable of operating below 144 MHz “may not be offered for sale unless they have first been authorized in accordance with the Commission’s certification procedures.” Radio Master website says the shop carries “a variety of 10 meter & citizen band radios.” In addition to its website Radio Master operates another bricks-and-mortar shop at a truck stop in Weatherford, Texas, the FCC said.

The Commission cautioned Radio Master that, pursuant to its Part 15 rules, “intentional radiators” such as CB transmitters may not be marketed in the US or its territories “unless they have first been authorized in accordance with the Commission’s certification procedures. In addition, the FCC pointed out, its Part 95 rules procribe making “any internal modification to a certificated CB transmitter.”

The FCC ordered Radio Master to immediately remove all unauthorized RF devices from display — including online display — and to cease marketing such devices in the US, or face possible fines and seizure of equipment.

The Commission directed Radio Master to provide certain information to it within 30 days of the Citation’s release, regarding the online store of Radio Master. “A failure to respond in writing, or an inadequate, incomplete, or misleading response, may subject Radio Master to additional sanctions,” the FCC said.

On August 15 the FCC issued a Citation and Order to DNJ Radio of Fremont, California, for violating its rules by marketing non-certified amplifiers and kits via its Internet website. In June, the FCC issued a Citation and Order to a Nebraska-based online retailer for illegally marketing unauthorized RF devices — including 10 and 12 meter amplifiers capable of putting out up to 8200 W.