The SCHEART Network Manager has requested I post this update.
Over the past few weeks, the SCHEART network along with other amateur repeaters in the state have experienced frequent malicious interference from a rogue station. This has resulted in adverse impacts to the weekly training nets and periods where authorized communications on the repeaters were interrupted by control operators attempting to restrict the rogue station’s range.
In the background, amateurs along with State and Federal agencies have been working to isolate the transmission source and identify the individual involved. Late last night the task force was successful.
The suspect is not a licensed amateur operator. However, he surrendered amateur radio equipment when confronted by law enforcement. Due to further pending action, more information is not available at this time.
On behalf of SCHEART, we’d like to thank all the hams who participated in the effort to identify the rogue station and to all South Carolina Amateurs who acted professionally over the air when confronted by this operator.