FCC Fines HobbyKing $2.86M for Noncompliant Drone Transmitters

The FCC fined HobbyKing $2.86 million for marketing noncompliant drone transmitters. The devices link the unit's transmitters by video with users flying the drones, the commission said in an item in Friday's Daily Digest (see related items here). After getting complaints, the Enforcement Bureau investigated, finding 65 models that operated in unauthorized RF bands and sometimes at excessive transmission power. After warning the company to follow the rules, the commission received more complaints and ordered HobbyKing to provide information on its marketing of the transmitters, the agency said. "Yet HobbyKing provided no further response, as required by law." If the retailer doesn't pay in a month, the FCC said it will refer the debt to DOJ for collection. "Continued failure to comply with the equipment marketing requirements is likely to be met with additional sanctions," warned a forfeiture order. "The Company’s pledge to use 'best efforts' not to market additional noncompliant products identified by the Bureau is not sufficient." Commissioner Mike O'Rielly noted the company's actions aren't "analogous to the equipment authorization rule changes I have proposed" that would allow presale of devices before his agency's OK (see 2006020069). That reflects "today’s world where people are used to Kickstarter campaigns and ordering handsets weeks before they are delivered into consumers’ eager hands." These rule changes "can be effectively implemented without causing any harm," he added, but "the same cannot be said of HobbyKing’s actions." Repeated attempts to reach a company representative were unsuccessful.