Industry Canada needs to fine the Saadés and confiscate their transmitter immediately
On Friday, I said:
Should he be fined? Not if he stops broadcasting, but if he continues then he should. If he does continue, I wouldn’t be surprised if Industry Canada confiscated the unlicensed transmitter.
At last report, the pirate radio station I wrote about that being run by Jayhaed Saadé is still on the air, despite having been told to cease and desist by Industry Canada.
If asked that question now, my answer would be: Yes, he should be fined to the maximum extent of the law, which is at least $5000 and possibly more. And all of the equipment should be confiscated, including the antenna and tower. Wading through a thread on the Digital Home forums, it appears I’m not alone in this sentiment.
The Ottawa Sun had a story that said he’s running a 2000 watt transmitter. Combined with his antenna, the footprint of his pirate station has a radius of at least 30km, with reports coming in from as far away as Franktown. And despite what Jayhaed has said in the Digital Home forum thread, he is interfering with other stations. CBC has a story where their reporter is unable to receive CBC Radio 1 (91.5 MHz) in close proximity to the transmitter, which you can watch here (it starts after the obligatory ad). (To put it in perspective, the maximum power a licensed amateur radio operator with many more qualifications than Saadé has can run is 1000 watts.)
He is apparently applying for a license, which I hope he doesn’t obtain. Industry Canada would effectively be rewarding him for breaking the law if they were to grant him an FM broadcast license. They need to make an example of him and show that they’re serious when it comes to pirate radio stations.
But the problem isn’t just Jayhaed Saadé — it’s his father, Georges. Georges Saadé is actively encouraging him to ignore the cease and desist order from Industry Canada and knowingly break the law. Some people have even suggested that the Children’s Aid Society should investigate Georges Saadé for contributing to the delinquency of a minor by encouraging him to continue running his pirate station.
AKA Keeper of Maps, I'm a geocacher who lives in Ottawa, Canada.
I want to see the recording industry go after him for not paying royalties.
Seems fair to me, though it would be difficult to determine how much is due and to whom because he probably doesn’t have a record of what he’s played. Apparently he has used voiceover tags from other “MIX” stations, so there are probably royalties due there, too.
This kid and his father seem to be doing their utmost to incur the wrath of everyone related to the RF spectrum, eh?
According to Friday’s Ottawa Sun story, Voice123.com, a voice talent agency is considering taking action against him. Apparently, he was using the demo tapes for a bid process he ran through their site without paying.
Good point on CA investigating Gordon – the station is located in an ‘adult bar’ with ‘exotic dancers’. Not a good environment for any child, but you would think the parents know that? WTF?
I’m wondering how a 14 year old got his hands on a 2 kW transmitter. What individual (or company) would sell a transmitter to an unlicensed operation?
I believe one of the stories mentioned something about him buying it off the Internet. I Googled “2000 watt FM broadcast transmitter” and the very first link (after the sponsored links) is for a Canadian company with a banner that reads “FM stereo transmitters: START YOUR OWN RADIO STATION!”. No indication on the site in question about needing to have a license, though it appears all orders have to be placed over the phone/by email, though they do mention something about selling on eBay, too.
Yes what Jay did is against the law but… I’d like to see Him get licensed as
it is damn clever to get all this equipment and He has done what I always dreamed of too “Own Radio Station” I say more Power to The Lad
I’m not sure that it’s a clever as people think it is. It’s basically a function of money because you can buy all-in-one FM broadcast transmitters
While part of me would like to see him get his ham license, another part of me would want assurances that he actually understands that what he did was wrong and that he would respect the various regulations that govern amateur radio. Running a pirate FM broadcast transmitter is one thing because the footprint of interference is really not that big compared to that of even a moderate power (50-100W) HF rig, particularly if that rig is driving a 1000W linear.
I can see both sides in this, I worked for five years at CKBY on air in the
early 70’s plus I have been licensed as a Ham Operator since 1992. Jay
spent much time and money setting this all Up on His own. He would be
an excellent enginer for one of the local commercal stations I have also
wanted to be a station owner since I was 7yrs old so I can understand
His dream clearly ..
After reading all sorts of reports on this item I think that if that was happening here in he UK both parents would be in jail and the spoilt little brat locked up in Council care until he was 18. I hope he gets what is coming to him. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
calm down. the kid started a pirate radio station.
Why should he be allowed to continue breaking the law, particularly after being told by Industry Canada to cease and desist twice now? Would you still feel the same way if he was interfering with the station you work for?
I have had an amature licence for19 years (advanced no code).I can tell you what that kid wants is an hobby broadcast licence…maybe expand the fm broadcast band below 88mhz..after 2011 with tv going digital that would free up some spectrum.Amature radio is fun,but its not broadcasting.His output is excesive even high for a "community radio station" keep the power down below 25 watts a decent antenna you can still get out 5 to 8 km…and keep below the radar….peace and loving awareness c/o Radio Free seaway
Listen guys lets not make this a big thing about
what a 14 year old boy wants to do as a hobby radio station project ?
And i think that the industry Canada as well is making this a big deal so what if he wants to set up a radio station of his own…
Oh and listen guys he and his father have the bucks to set up a radio station and that’s that …. So lets get real here award him his radio permit or license and lets get over this?
He has what it takes to run a radio station give him a change like ever one else in this country ?
A fourteen-year old spending $80000+ on an unlicensed (i.e. illegal) broadcast transmitter is hardly a “hobby radio station project”. And when that station is operated in a manner that interferes with legitimate spectrum users and creates a hazardous environment in its immediate vicinity when it’s broadcasting, it qualifies as “a big deal”.
There are laws in this country that apply to anyone who wants to run a broadcast radio station. Why should he be able to bypass these rules simply because he and his father “have the bucks”? Other broadcasters that want to run a radio station also “have the bucks”, yet they seem able to comply with the rules.
If he really had what it takes to run a radio station, he would have respected the rules. But he didn’t.