[RFI] RFI turn out to be a New Solar Panel installed on Roof of Garage 700 feet away from my QTH

Wed Mar 1 12:39:48 EST 2017

Most definitely get all your doc and "evidence" together first. Be as
careful as you can to make sure of the source. Wrong finger pointing is not
good and as it have been pointed out to me may times, sometimes the source
is not what you think it is. I think it would be particularly awkward if
the source turned out to be self generated (run radio on a battery, turn
off your house mains).

If you have access to the site/suspected equipment it would be a great help
to determine the source. In my case its one of these "free panels, we
become your power company" deals and the homeowner doesn't own the array or
have any right to touch it and only reluctantly showed it to the FCC Agent.

The purpose of the FCC complain is to give the FCC visibility to the scope
of the problem. Ms Chen told me that I was the only solar array
interference issue that she knew of. As ham operators we have a different
experience. She requested that the ham community give the FCC visibility to
the issue via their complaint system.

Once you file a complaint you can use it to document all your activity by
posting updates to it.

If I were to start the process over again I think I would also explore the
ARRL RFI team route. I have had a hard time making the right contacts
within solar city to even explain the problem to. I suspect the ARRL legal
folks have contacts with their counterparts at some of the large solar
companies or at least know the secret lawyer back door method for making
contact.

I don't expect the FCC to roll up in their blacked out government SUV to
solve your interference issue but it was, um, rather shocking to have
someone stick their head in the shack and say "the FCC is here". It has an
interesting effect on coffee and ones nose.

Good luck and don't forget your helmet!

Please see ns6q.net/exams for all the details about out exams...
73,
Mike
NS6Q

On Wed, Mar 1, 2017 at 8:33 AM, Chuck Gooden <Chuck.Gooden at comcast.net>
wrote:

>
> I would not recommend starting with the FCC or the ARRL.
>
> I would gather as much evidence and notes that you can and document the
> issue.   the documentation should including the times of day the
> interference occurs, DF bearing from yourself and other hams, statements
> from other hams that are experiencing the same issue etc.   I would then
> contact the home owner to discuss the issue and see if they would be
> willing to allow you to work with them to identify the noise source.  Be
> cordial, and do not make any threats.  If you do not have the technical
> knowledge maybe there is a ham near you that may be willing to assist in
> identifying the noise source.
>
> Keep a log of everything you do in an attempt to identify and resolve the
> issue.  If the home owner is unwilling to work with you and will not
> resolve the issue.  Then contact the ARRL and see if they can provide any
> assistance.
>
> The last thing you should do is contact the FCC and file a complaint along
> with all of the documentation that you can provide to show the steps you
> took to identify and resolve the issue.
>
> 73's
>
> Chuck K9LC
>
>
>
> On 3/1/2017 9:04 AM, Mike Kirkland wrote:
>
>> All of the above. Maybe start with FCC complaint and follow up with Ms
>> Chen
>> at the FCC.
>>
>> I agree that it is odd to have maximum interference at night. In my case
>> overnight about S3 and midday is about S9 +.
>>
>> It took me over a year to bust out of solarcity's call center and talk to
>> a
>> person with a brain. So far that hasn't helped. It wasn't much of a brain.
>> 16 months and counting.
>>
>> In my case the offending components appeared to be made by a company
>> called
>> solaredge. And apparently the only way to remove the interference is to
>> unbolt the interfaces from the back of each panel. So of course SolarCity
>> doesn't want to do that.
>>
>>
>> On Mar 1, 2017 6:43 AM, "Michael Aust" <ava622 at verizon.net> wrote:
>>
>> Next step ?
>>
>> ARRL - FCC - SCE Edison AC Power Company - Police Department ???????
>>
>> Michael Aust
>> WB6DJI
>> ava622 at verizon.net
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Michael Aust <ava622 at verizon.net>
>> To: rfi <rfi at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Tue, Feb 28, 2017 9:56 pm
>> Subject: RFI turn out to be a New Solar Panel installed on Roof of Garage
>> 700 feet away from my QTH
>>
>>
>>
>> Been fighting an RFI problem since early Jan 2017
>>
>> These New Solar Installations are destroying the
>> HF Bands Big Time here in California.
>>
>> It’s Happens to be verified by an RFI Engineer who is also a ham
>> AA6PX that as working with Gary Lopes - WA6MEM
>>
>> Watch this Video
>>
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7jXBDX19JQ
>>
>> Noise come on at Night for 12 Hour On/ !@Hour Off Cycle
>>
>> What should be my next step ?????
>>
>> ARRL - FCC- AC Power Company
>>
>> Help !!!
>>
>> 73 Mike
>>
>>
>> *************************************************
>> Interference to Licensed Radio Station by the
>> FCC Primary User Radio Station WB6DJI
>> finally located
>> *************************************************
>>
>> Interference came on 1st week of Jan 2017 when this Solar
>> Array was installed to see back Power to SCE Southern
>> California Edison.
>>
>> Never seen this much RFI in my 40 years on the HF Bands
>>
>> Need FCC Help - ARRL Help - Edison Help
>>
>> Distance of Maximum RFI is about 600 feet North from
>> this Location - WB6DJI
>>
>> Can be heard for 2 blocks South along Anza Ave and
>> Marjorie Avenue along SCE street Light lines
>>
>> Very Bad Interference ( RFI Carrier strongest at 8.048MHz )
>> with Carriers ( Slow Data Rate Modulation ) in Amateur
>> Radio Bands ( See Video's )
>>
>> Interference started 1st week of Jan 2017 and continues
>>
>> Interference Onto SCE AC Power Mains / telephone Lines and
>> Radiates through out RF HF Licensed Spectrum Band
>>
>> Used Magnetic Loop Antenna and Bearings from two 45 degree
>> positions cross over New Solar Array on Neighbors Garage about
>> 8 house's from my location. This was done by an RFI Engineer
>> in my Area.
>>
>> The RFI get into AC Power and Telephone Lines.
>> Very strong and gets most of the HF Bands
>>
>> Can hear 8.048MHz Signal 6 blocks away along street
>> light power lines in my area
>>
>> Location of Solar Panel Installation finally located
>> 21318 Anza Avenue, Torrance, California. 90503
>>
>> Started on an 18Hour On / 6 Hour Off, then on 2-21-2017
>> Interference comes on at 11:04pm Nightly and
>> turns Off at 11:03am Daily as of 2-27-2017
>>
>> Same Strong Carriers with Data in 8MHz Band from 8.084
>> from 8.1MHz thru 8.4MHz and 12MHz Band
>>
>> Violates Part 15 FCC regulations for Interference
>> to a Primary FCC Licensed Station in this Frequency
>> Spectrum by a Consumer Electronics Device
>>
>>
>> Mike
>> WB6DJI
>> wb6dji_dx at icloud.com
>>
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