[RFI] Need Help With RFI Problem with Neighbor

[EDWARDS, EDDIE J]

> -----Original Message-----
> I have previously tried to help my neighbors solve their problems.  NO
> MORE.
> They can resolve their problems by themselves.  I spent a lot of time
> helping them.  They didn't appreciate it one bit.  All the while they just
> knew the problems were on my end so the two neighbors that had RFI got the
> neighborhood together and involved the city.  To make a long story short,
> I
> prevailed and they can live with their RFI.  End of story.  It seems the
> more you do to try to help them, the more they figure you're helping
> because
> it's your problem.  They're going to get mad at you sooner or later, so
> why
> waste your time?  GL.
> 
	[Ed-K0iL]  Dealing with RFI is always easier than dealing with
neighbors.  After giving some thought to this posting, I have to ask some
questions. (and please do not take any personal offense at what I'm about to
write--I certainly don't mean any.)

	These questions are assumptions since I don't know anything about
your specifics.  I'm simply trying to point out some pitfalls all of us, as
hams, might be making in general when dealing with a neighbor!

	1) When offering to help did you say something like "We CAN or WILL
eliminate the interference by placing some filters on your equipment"? Or
"Adding these filters WILL eliminate the interference"?   If so, these
sounds a little bit like promises.  DO NOT promise anything.  

	2) When you "helped them" did you solve the interference problem or
not?  If not, and if you promised you would, I can see where they might get
mad at you.
	  
	I always tell them we can try to reduce the interference by adding
filtering and that it "might" work, but I never promise to solve "The
Problem" at all.  I usually explain that "The Problem" is that the TV (or
phone, etc.) is interacting with my radio signal, and that it is not
supposed to do this!!  I explain that almost all TVs (or phones) do this and
that it is normal.  Also, if they're still listening, I state that the FCC
won't do anything about it because the US Congress won't make any laws to
force the TV/Stereo/Phone manufacturers to make better products that do not
interact in this way.

	IF they won't talk with you or listen to you about "The Problem",
maybe there's  some other reason why they don't like you already, or there
might not be a good reason to like you to start with.  Are you a
neighborly-type of neighbor saying "Hi! How are you?" once in a while?  Lend
a hand when they obviously need it?

	I had one neighbor (2 doors down) who never complained about any
interference for 7 years (before cable) until I moved out of my parents
house.  When asked by my mom why he never said anything, he said, "Because
he was one of the good kids in the neighborhood!"  

	My current next door neighbor has never said anything to me, but his
daughter complained once during a DX contest about me getting into their
phone--and in a rather snotty way I might add.  I explained that phones are
not supposed to pick up radio waves; mine doesn't, and if hers was, she
should call US West an complain about it!!!  I then went right back to
contesting.  After five years her dad has not said a thing about it.  Why?
perhaps because I mow his front yard when it gets a little too long.  I also
shovel his walks in the winter while I'm out with my snow blower.  Just
being a good neighbor...ya know?  

	Maybe things are different on the coasts then they are here in
Nebraska.  I have heard horror stories from NJ & CA about battling neigbors
and court battles, and it seems to be spreading inland to some degree.  No
need to circle the wagons until they've made their first real attack.  So
lets all go out there and be nice to our neighbors and see if we can make
some friends.  

	73,
	de ed -K0iL
	"Won't you be my Neighbor?" --Mr. Rodgers 


>  

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