By the way, the power company was prompt in fixing the insulator causing
the RFI.
Tom
On 2/12/2014 9:57 AM, Tom Thompson wrote:
This has been my experience here in Boulder, CO. In the past several
years I have dealt with 3 halogen light power supplies, 9 grow light
power supplies, one power line insulator, and one video camera power
supply.
I was able to talk one neighbor into replacing his 12 volt halogen
system with a 120 volt system which solved the problem.
I replaced the switching supply on another halogen system with a
transformer and solved that problem.
The third halogen system was a desk lamp and I placed a common mode
choke on the lamp leads and solved that problem.
A grower loaned me his kilowatt ballast and I was able to develop a
lamp side filter that reduced the RFI by 30-dB. I applied that to
five grow light systems and reduced the RFI to an acceptable level at
my house. The other four growers moved away.
The video camera power supply RFI was reduced to an acceptable level
with a common mode choke.
I built a LISN and determined that the grow light ballasts were
violating part 18b specifications by 40-dB. I shared this technical
information as well as the names of grow light ballast retailers and
one ballast importer with the FCC Denver office to no avail. I had a
two hour meeting with the engineers at the Denver office. Whereas
they were sympathetic, nothing has happened from their office. One
interesting point was that the meeting was ended because they had to
track down a pirate radio station. We pointed out the irony of the
concern for 10 kHz of the broadcast spectrum over concern of many kHz
of the HF spectrum.
I, also, spoke with Laura Smith in the enforcement division. She said
they were looking into tracking down some of the grow light ballast
importers, but I don't think that is happening yet.
I think the bottom line is that the FCC is under funded and under
staffed and we amateurs are a low priority. Maybe a concerted letter
writing to our congressional representatives is in order.
Tom W0IVJ
On 2/12/2014 8:39 AM, Kimberly Elmore wrote:
If no one complains, it's a sure bet nothing good will ever happen.
Are we at the top of the FCC's interest list? No, nor have we ever
been. Yet, if we don't squawk, who will? We need to log the problems
with the FCC and with the ARRL, who (like it or not) has a fair bit
more clout with the FCC than any one of us singly.
My experience with the FCC field offices has always been good. If
there's a problem, call the closest office and ask to speak to a
field engineer. These guys are pretty bright and understand what we do.
I honestly don't understand the attitude of "It's hopeless so don't
bother." That's a self-fulfilling prophecy if ever there was one.
Kim N5OP
________________________________
From: Dale J. <dj2001x@comcast.net>
To: Roger D Johnson <n1rj@roadrunner.com>
Cc: "rfi@contesting.com List" <rfi@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 9:25 AM
Subject: Re: [RFI] LED Bulbs
Hi Roger,
Now that statement I'll agree with. I will too.
Even if I were to call the FCC to complain would I talk to a live
human who knows what I'm talking about or would it be a robot that
directs me to a FAQ on how to deal with RFI.
73
Dale, K9vuj
On 12, Feb 2014, at 8:12, Roger D Johnson <n1rj@roadrunner.com> wrote:
Unfortunately, interference to amateur radio appears to be VERY low
on the FCC priorities list. I'll probably be an SK long before they
act on my complaint!
73, Roger
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