The Federal Communications Commission has issued eight individuals with "notices of unlicensed operation" over the last five days, seven of them from the Lone Star State.

Activists in Texas say that these broadcasters carry programs provided by Radio Free Austin (RFC), an alternative radio service that offers features critical of the U.S. war in Iraq.

The Commission's enforcement bureau sent notices to three residents of Austin and to residents of Dallas, Georgetown, Gonzales, and San Antonio.

The warnings claim that the Commission's agents detected radio broadcasts emanating from the homes of these individuals at 95.7, 90.1, 100.1, and 101.5 MHz.

"UNLICENSED OPERATION OF THIS RADIO STATION MUST BE DISCONTINUED IMMEDIATELY," the FCC notices conclude. "You have ten (10) days from the date of this notice to respond with any evidence that you have authority to operate granted by the FCC."

Mike Jones, a member of Radio Free Austin, issued a statement today on RFC's Web site in response to the notices, one of which he personally received.

"I am going to continue to broadcast until one of two things happens. One - you the listeners step up to the plate and host a transmitter; Two - the FCC returns," Jones says.

"The time to act is now. We need new locations now. Resistance Radio formally Radio Free Austin will put up and maintain the equipment. We need locations in all parts of town. Please call us for details."

Radio operators must pay a fine of $10,000 for unlicensed broadcasts. A Nation Storage outlet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also received a notice.