[RFI] RFI Success

[Tom Thompson]

In the fall discovered that my noise level on 20 meters had increased by 
about 18 dB above my normal band noise.  I suspected a grow light 
situation so I took a loop reading and headed east where there is a 
neighborhood with a lot of rental properties.  I had only walked a few 
hundred feet when I noticed the loop pointing more to the north.  A few 
minutes later I had the RFI pin pointed to the south east corner of a 
commercial building just to the east of me. The particular suite was a 
dentist office.  I introduced myself to the receptionist, explained the 
situation,  and left my contact information.  A few weeks later, having 
heard nothing,  I revisited the office and left another message.  After 
the third visit I contacted the building owner who said he would contact 
the dentist and have him contact me.  A month went by with no contact, 
so I called the building owner again.  He told me that the dentist had 
emailed him back that he felt harassed.  The building owner suggested 
that I email the dentist directly.  I spent about 30 minutes composing 
an email that was as diplomatic as I could  make it emphasizing that we 
were neighbors and that I wanted to work with him to remedy the 
situation.  A few hours later I received a very cordial email from the 
dentist suggesting a time when we could meet.  I met with him the next 
day and he was very nice and cooperative.  Within about 10 minutes of 
walking around his office switching off light fixtures, I located two 
under the counter fluorescent fixtures which were causing the RFI.  He 
agreed to leave them off until he could get them fixed or replaced.  My 
20 meter RFI is gone.

I guess the lesson learned here is to be patient and not assume an 
aggressive stance even when one might assume the other party is on the 
defensive.

73   Tom   W0IVJ