Lancaster, OH, officials passed a measure Aug. 26 to help local enforcement of the FCC's Part 95 CB radio rules. The city's law will give prosecutors a tool to fight those not following FCC rules.

Under the city ordinance, CB radio users operating on what's termed as an unlawful frequency or using excessively powerful equipment could be cited for a misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Ham radio operators are exempted because the city says they are trained, licensed and regulated differently under federal law.

The FCC believes Lancaster is the first municipality to enact such a far-reaching ordinance to regulate CB radio within the city limits.