Palmdale Council Powerless to Muffle CB Radio Complaints

Stray transmissions from CB radios have prompted a growing number of complaints from Antelope Valley residents, but the Palmdale City Council has determined that the problem is a federal one that the city cannot control.

The council agreed to study the issue last month after several residents said that powerful broadcasts by citizens’ band radio operator Roger Archer could be heard on their telephones, stereos, televisions, fax machines and even baby monitors.

Archer, who has begun to sell off his equipment in response to the complaints, said part of the problem was the residents’ electronic equipment. If the equipment were of higher quality and properly filtered, his broadcasts would not be heard, he said.

Palmdale City Atty. William Rudell, reporting to the council Thursday night, said his research indicated that only the Federal Communications Commission could regulate CB broadcasts. “I don’t see that a local municipality has any jurisdiction over this,” he said.

At Thursday’s meeting, Christopher Spacone, a member of the Antelope Valley Amateur Radio Club, offered to help residents document complaints against illegal CB operators that could be forwarded to the FCC. Council members welcomed his offer and said city planners could help people contact Spacone.

Reports about one neighborhood’s battle against Archer prompted a few residents to voice similar complaints about other CB operators. Jon and Ilana Bantleon said they are considering suing a CB radio operator in their area if the FCC is unable to help them resolve the issue.

“I hear him at all hours of the night,” Bantleon said. “I’ve put filters on our telephones. I have done everything that I could possibly do.” He added that the relationship with the CB operator has turned ugly. “We have been in each other’s face.”

Archer did not attend Thursday’s meeting, but Charles Smith, a Palmdale amateur radio operator, defended CB enthusiasts. Local businesses should stock equipment that is properly filtered and approved by the FCC, Smith said.

“It’s the consumer’s choice,” he said. “If the public chooses to buy inferior equipment, let the buyer beware.”