[RFI] FCC RFI Question

[Dave Cole (NK7Z)]

Dale,

That has not been my observation.  The FCC has responded, and corrected 
at least one issue over the past few years, and are currently working to 
correct an existing issue today!  All without telling me to work it out 
with the neighbor.  Which by the way is the best way if you can do that.

Several years ago I had a very bad RFI issue and the neighbor was not 
willing to correct it, as he had sheet rocked a wall wart into a wall. 
The FCC letter got prompt action, and the issue was corrected.

I am having a RFI event now, and worked that event through the ARRL to 
get get it submitted to the FCC.  The operator of the device has not 
taken the offer of free filters, nor solved the RFI as of yet, so the 
FCC was added to the mix.

It is my understanding the FCC has sent the first letter, and are 
getting ready, or have already sent the second letter.  I am in direct 
contact with Laura Smith, and she has indicated that if the RFI 
continues the FCC will continue along corrective lines.  I am happy with 
this response, and will wait for things to take their course.

Again, slow, steady, and making sure you cross every "t", and dot every 
"i" seems to work for me.  So far...

Solving RFI just takes lots of time...

Over the past 7 years I have had 4 or 5 horticultural lighting issues, 
and in all cases but the current one, I was able to work the issue out 
between myself and the owner of the RFI generating device.  In each case 
it took months to solve.  Most of that time is in documentation.  Once 
the owner was contacted the issue ended, or I gave them filters, and it 
ended.  All with no FCC assistance.  But when I needed it, the FCC 
assistance has been there!  Hopefully the FCC will follow up if the RFI 
continues...

73s and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z/NNR0DC)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Technical Specialist

On 08/15/2018 12:14 AM, Dale Johnson wrote:
> If you make a complaint to the FCC they will tell you to work with your neighbor to resolve the problem.  In other words you are on your own.
> 
> With the unfettered RFI, radio will die a slow death as the RFI becomes worse, that is unless you live far away from neighbors.
> 
> Dale, k9vuj
> 
> 
> On 14, Aug 2018, at 20:20, Tony <dxdx at optonline.net> wrote:
> 
> All:
> 
> I was wondering how the FCC measures the level of RFI emanating from a distant device to determine whether it's above or below FCC limitations?
> 
> The reason I ask is that the RFI emanating from the device might meet a certain criteria when measured some number of feet from the unit, but the bottom line for the ham is whether the noise is still heard on his or her receiver.
> 
> That brings up the question of whether or not the FCC deems a certain level of RFI as "acceptiable"? My neighbors solar panels generate RFI ranging from S-5 to S-9 throughout the day and even at lower levels, the noise makes S-9 signals difficult to copy.
> 
> This video demonstrates how intrusive it can be at S-5 levels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc4uMkWYYBc
> 
> Tony -K2MO
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