[RFI] If you're ATT, you can do something about RFI...

[Dale]

Tom, 

I suspect that your post will generate several replies.  Mine is as follows:

1.  Amateur radio is also a LICENSED service.  We CAN invoke the FCC, but admittedly, it takes several more steps to get action than what AT&T had to do in Houston.  It should be noted that 705 MHz DOES fall within the range of controlled emissions for Part 15 devices, whereas 3.5 MHz does not. 

2.  This case seems to be pretty much like the situation hams face when a neighbor has a plasma TV or touch lamp or battery charger that are incidental radiators and cause grief to radio systems.  FCC may not do anything about radiated interference on HF because of non-coverage under Part 15, so you, the ham, then have the option of confronting the neighbor directly about an offending device; the result is often similar to what the defendant in this case is doing to AT&T.  The difference is, of course, he'll probably lose.

3.  The one area in which FCC has gone to bat for hams has been with the electric power companies when the interference can be shown to emanate from distribution power lines and associated equipment.  I have had two situations, one in IL and the other here in IA, in which the local power company was very helpful and even quick in fixing severe RFI problems that were affecting me.  I did not invoke FCC, but I think the power companies were well aware of the sort of pressure or fines that can come from amateur radio RFI complaints.   

4.  The situation here is not related to power distribution problems, and neither are plasma TV or other consumer garbage RFI sources, so I suspect that the fact that the light fixtures are putting out big sigs on 705 MHz is a huge help for AT&T in getting action.  Incidentally, it sure would be interesting to learn just how devices made to operate at relatively low frequencies can generate strong harmonics or spurs way up into the UHF range.

73, Dale
WA9ENA



         


-----Original Message-----
>From: K8TB <k8tb at bosscher.org>
>Sent: Oct 28, 2013 3:26 PM
>To: rfi at contesting.com
>Subject: [RFI] If you're ATT, you can do something about RFI...
>
>Interesting read...
>
>"http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db1028/DA-13-2077A1.pdf"
>
>But if it is on 75 meters?
>
>Tom K8TB
>
>
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