Investigation of TDWR Interference at Miami International Airport
On June 13, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau Miami Office issued a Notice of Unlicensed Operation and Notification of Harmful Interference to Aptech Networks Corp. in Doral, Florida. The action followed a report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicating that the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) serving Miami International Airport was experiencing radio interference on or adjacent to 5.605 GHz.
On June 3, 2016, FCC agents used direction-finding techniques and conducted an on-site inspection, confirming that radio emissions on 5.605 GHz were emanating from a tower located at 8180 NW 36th St. in Doral, Florida.
Unauthorized Device Operation and Regulatory Violations
The FCC's inspection revealed that Aptech Networks Corp. was utilizing a Ubiquiti Networks NanoBeam NBE-M5-400 Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) device programmed to transmit on 5.605 GHz. The operator changed the operating frequency during the investigation, which caused the interference to the FAA radar to cease.
According to the Enforcement Bureau, the Ubiquiti NBE-M5-400 device with FCC ID SWX-NBEM5 is not authorized for operation in the 5.45 GHz through 5.725 GHz frequency band. Furthermore, the FCC has no record of any license issued to Aptech Networks Corp. to operate a transmitter on 5605 MHz at that location, violating Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Under 47 C.F.R. Section 15.1(b), non-licensed operation is conditioned on compliance with all Part 15 rules, and intentional radiators must be certified and operated consistent with their authorization under 47 C.F.R. Section 15.201(b). In addition, Part 15 and U-NII regulations under 47 C.F.R. Sections 15.5(c) and 15.405 require operation to cease immediately if harmful interference occurs to safety or radio navigation services.
Enforcement Warning and Response Requirements
The Miami Office warned Aptech Networks Corp. that unlicensed operation on 5.605 GHz must not resume and that U-NII operations cannot resume without achieving full compliance with FCC Part 15 rules and ensuring interference is resolved. Continued unauthorized transmission or persistent harmful interference could lead to severe penalties, including monetary forfeitures, equipment seizure, and criminal prosecution under 47 U.S.C. Sections 401, 501, 503, and 510.
Aptech Networks Corp. was directed to respond within ten days from the notice date with evidence detailing the steps planned to eliminate future interference to the Miami International Airport TDWR.
- Case Number: EB-FIELDSCR-16-00021849
- Document Number: W201632600014
- Target Location: 8180 NW 36th St., Doral, Florida
- Offending Frequency: 5.605 GHz