[RFI] FCC RFI Question

W0MU Mike Fatchett w0mu at w0mu.com
Sat Aug 18 14:08:56 EDT 2018


This is why Remote Ham Radio is and will continue to be a huge thing.  I 
understand those that wish to chase awards all from a single location 
etc.  Hopefully there is more to the hobby than Honor Roll.

Nobody knows when their day is coming, these issues are just as 
important to the young or old.

We in the west are constantly told by those on the East Coast to move if 
we wanted to be treated fairly in contests.  Moving is probably not an 
option for most, but if a move is in the works it becomes even more 
important to put high noise cities in directions not toward EU or what 
you are really wanting to work.    I know a number of hams that want a 
place near Denver but they will only look for places where Denver 
metropolis is not in a good path EU, JA, etc.

Peoples conveniences are probably going to win out over our little hobby 
as the light rail noise generators are now about 2 miles from my house 
and will extend closer and closer and there is nothing I will be able to 
do to fight it.

W0MU



On 8/18/2018 10:17 AM, Dave Cole (NK7Z) wrote:
> Rob,
>
> If only I were a young man again, then I would not be as patient as I 
> am today...  Please take the next few paragraphs in the vain they are 
> given.  Respectfully.
>
> Let me re-quote something I said in this very thread:
>
> ==========CUT==========
> I well understand your frustration with your RFI issues...  I am many 
> months out in not being able to use HF at all due to RFI.  I am 
> frustrated beyond belief.  Why?  My hobby of 50 years is now at an end 
> until the FCC corrects the issue, I may not get Honor Roll as a result 
> of this, I am 65, my time is running short.  The next sunspot peak may 
> be my last...  You bet I am pissed, but I am also careful, and 
> thoughtful, and I want a solution that sticks, and more importantly is 
> good for the Amateur Community as a whole.
> ==========CUT==========
>
> My goal is to correct the problem in the shortest possible time, using 
> all legal means possible.  We have no choice in this, unless we break 
> the law.
>
> Here are some of our choices:
>
> 1.  Take the slow, and what I feel is a more effective course.
> 2.  Scream and yell, and hope you get results.
> 3.  Do something stupid and end up in jail, or worse.
> 4.  Quit ham radio.
> 5.  Work around the RFI until you can get it corrected.
>
> Items 2, 3, and 4 are not acceptable to me, and should not be to you 
> either.  Items 1 ,and 4 are acceptable.
>
> We simply have no choice in this if we are to remain law abiding, and 
> I intend to do just that, remain law abiding...
>
> Carping, yelling, screaming, kicking the floor, and foot stomping, 
> just make things worse for everyone.  On top of that, those steps are 
> simply not an effective use of our time to correct this problem.  I 
> want to use my remaining years as effectively as possible, and that 
> means working within the existing system in a way that is effective.  
> Using ineffective methods just wastes my remaining years.
>
> The world has changed, if we can't adopt--  well there was once a 
> species of lizards called dinosaurs, we all know how that ended...
>
> Remember in VE land their version of the FCC just stopped enforcement 
> completely...  Your ONLY recourse there is via the court system...  
> You it takes time now in the US...
>
> Running around and throwing rocks might work once, but more than 
> likely it will make it worse for you, and for others.  Take the time 
> to think things through, do it right and you sometimes get rewarded.
>
> I have had seven grow light RFI issues in the past 5 years.  All of 
> them but my current issue have been quickly solved, without the FCC, 
> or the ARRL even being involved.  How?  Documentation, a friendly 
> approach, and avoiding conflict where possible.
>
> I dislike RFI as much as you, possibly more, I am ticked as hell at 
> having to play all of these games!  I just want to play radio on 40 
> meters in the early mornings.  I can't, and it pisses me off every 
> morning I get up and can't.  I have a legal right to do this, and not 
> have to put up with RFI at these levels, but...  In the real world, 
> enforcement is not always equal, and it is not what it used to be.
>
> I will correct this.  If I have to write my Congressman to get action, 
> I will correct this.
>
> If it comes to that, and I hope it does not, I want to insure I have 
> done EVERYTHING correctly, and legally.  The goal is to win the war, 
> not just one battle.  I want 40 meters back, and I will get it 
> back...  But, as I said, sometimes solving RFI just takes time.
>
> It is not fair, but the world is not fair...  I wish it were... So 
> yes, I do understand your position, I am in that same position...
>
> Remember, the FCC is really on our side, and they are just as 
> hamstrung as we are with legal issues.  There is no magic wand for 
> this...
>
> Take care, and I hope your RFI gets solved sooner than later...
>
> 73s and thanks,
> Dave (NK7Z/NNR0DC)
> https://www.nk7z.net
> ARRL Technical Specialist
>
> On 08/17/2018 06:09 PM, Rob Atkinson wrote:
>>> 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...
>>
>> That's FB for a young ham with his whole life ahead of him.  But for
>> the rest of us getting up there in years, we see the time of our
>> precious few remaining good ham years slipping away while we wait for
>> something to happen and listen to noise in the mean time. Pretty
>> tough to be patient when you can't be certain if you'll be around for
>> a year or another 10 and one of the few joys of your life is gone
>> because some jerk with a solar panel or grow light or something else.
>> I guess this helps explain why HF is so empty now.  An old man just
>> don't have the energy and fight for this kind of battle.
>>
>> 73
>> Rob
>> K5UJ
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