[RFI] Fraudulent FCC RFI Certification

[Donald Chester]

A company was caught providing the FCC one thing to get part 15 certification, then selling something else.



This involves 433 MHz which most hams probably don't care about, but it reveals what goes on, and I'm sure 

the exact same thing is done with junk radiating all over HF. The device in question was an unlicensed Part 15

 intentional radiator, but no doubt the same kind of fraud occurs with "unintentional radiators" like touch lamps

and switching power supplies that bear the "Part 15 certification" label.   In fact, hams examining some RFI-producing

 consumer electronic junk have reported blank holes in the circuit boards where the RF filtering components were

 supposed to go.



"...Prior to marketing the Big Drops System, EnerTrac submitted relevant  information and a sample device to the

 FCC’s Office of Engineering and  Technology (OET). The OET certified the device as being in compliance  with

 Part 15 rules.



In July 2012, however, the FCC received a complaint that the Big  Drops System was not operating within the

 terms of its authorization.  The Commission issued a Letter of Inquiry to EnerTrac relating to  the system’s

 compliance with Part 15. Responding to the inquiry,  EnerTrac reminded the FCC that the 433 MHz

 Big Drops System had been  tested for compliance with Part 15 rules and had been certified by the  FCC.

 The OET tested the system, however, and determined that it exceeded  Part 15 emission limits, suggesting

 that there may have been  differences between the unit tested for certification purposes and the  version that

 EnerTrac marketed..."



http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-and-manufacturer-conclude-consent-decree-on-marketing-of-noncompliant-device