To start with, visit the neighbor and explain the problem. They will think you are nuts, but it you ask them if they have any touch-controlled devices, and the answer is yes, then you may be able to get them to unplug or temporarily power-down any such devices to see if the interference stops. If it doesn't them try the next device or look elsewhere. if the interference quits when the device is disconnected, you can take the next steps.
Be the way, it isn't just touch control lamps. I experiences a similar problem with an automatic battery charger that had a semiconductor based controller - it put out a "wavery - drifty" signal at spots all across the lower part of the HF spectrum. You can point out to him that the part 15 rules REQUIRE him to cease using any device that causes interferences to a licensed radio service (that's us). If you don't like that approach, you might take the tack that his lamp isn't supposed to be transmitting signals, and maybe it is defective, and defective electrical devices have been known to cause fires. If that doesn't work, send a note to the FCC, and they will in turn send the neighbor a more "official" communication that explains the part 15 rules in detail and outlines and what he or she needs to do. That last can escalate to some pretty powerful language after a few iterations or so. That's what that "radio interference" notice on the device is all about. Fines are not unknown in these cases - rarely assessed, it's true, but not impossible. The neighbor may be able to take the lamp or other interfering device back to where they got it and get a refund or replacement. You can offer to go with them, taking a portable radio that tunes the frequencies of interest, to make sure any new offerings are "clean" before they leave the store. In any case, NEVER offer to fix the device yourself. If you do, and _anything_ electrical in their house ever fails from that day forward, it will be seen as your fault. I know everyone likes to be neighborly and all that, but this sort of thing won't get fixed until enough complaints are heard to cause action on the part of manufacturers. If the neighbor is mad at the store for selling him a product that causes problems, then encourage him to complain to the store manager. One complaint won't do much, but over time, enough of them will cause sufficient negative feedback that the mess gets fixed. Of course, if you just want to "roll over" and put up with the problem, that's your call. - Jim, KL7CC Steve Ellington wrote: > I suspect my neighbor has one now and I'm trying to figure > out how to approach him about it. > Steve > N4LQ > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
