What is the penalty for operating a pirate radio station?

Question

What is the penalty for operating a pirate radio station?

Answer 1

idk.... U have to walk the plank?

Answer 2

On the FM band, especially, usually you will get a warning.

If you disregard the warning, the FCC may issue a NAL (Notice of Apparent Liability) resulting in up to a $10,000 fine and, in some cases, they may confiscate the equipment.

There are legal ways of operating without a license, the most common one is called Part 15 radio. Part 15 is legal as long as you stay within certain power levels and/or field strength levels. If you don't know what power levels or field strength is,

you probably shouldn't get on the air.