[RFI] LED Bulbs

[Tom Thompson]

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 at comcast.net>
>> To: Roger D Johnson <n1rj at roadrunner.com>
>> Cc: "rfi at contesting.com List" <rfi at 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 at 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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>
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