Re: [AMRadio] FCC Non-cooperation (was ILLEGAL STUFF ON E BAY)
Not to detract from Steve's point, because I agree that RFI from unintentional radiators is a major problem for hams, especially those who enjoy full-range AM audio on HF. But it's important to understand how the FCC approaches the wide range of Part 15 issues - here are a couple of good resources: FCC: http://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/procedures.html#sec1 ARRL: http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/part15.html#Myths An A2LA-certified RF test lab: www.radiomet.com/documents/FCC_Guide.pdf Once you're familiar with the terminology used to characterize unlicensed devices, I think most will agree that our problems stem primarily from both Class A (intended for commercial, industrial, and business use) and B (residential) Unintentional Radiators. This can involve both Conducted (interference that is carried along power lines and other conductors to other devices, i.e. our receivers) and Radiated emissions (what Steve measured with his spectrum analyzer). The vast majority of such devices are subject to Verification, which is the lowest level of compliance. Manufacturers are on the honor system to do the appropriate testing and label the product accordingly. Even when manufacturers make a good faith effort to comply with Part 15 Verification requirements, the real world implementation may not reflect what was seen in the laboratory. Take for example the noisy LED traffic light that Steve posted about some time ago. Suppose the manufacturer recommended that shielded cable be used between the switchmode controller and the lights to mitigate radiated RFI, but the installers just re-used the unshielded wires that were used for the old incandescent systems. Instant antenna! As hams, we know the length of the wires and whether they're run inside a metal pole or along the side of a wooden one will make a big difference also. Just a made-up example to show that the problem may often not be as simple as going back on the manufacturer of one of the devices in question. Still, the intent of Part 15 is to protect licensed users from interference from unlicensed devices, and the best option we have to enforce current regulations (or potentially get better ones) is to continue to elevate our concerns to the FCC and those who oversee the agency. 73, Bob W9RAN __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Post: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [AMRadio] FCC Non-cooperation (was ILLEGAL STUFF ON E BAY)
Still, the intent of Part 15 is to protect licensed users from interference from unlicensed devices, and the best option we have to enforce current regulations (or potentially get better ones) is to continue to elevate our concerns to the FCC and those who oversee the agency. 73, Bob W9RAN Excellent advise, Bob. Part 15 needs to get current with the times. As more consumers replace their household appliances with models that incorporate RFI/EMI emitting technology, the problem will only become worse. The certification section was last re-written at time when nearly all of our major household appliances did not contain SMPS and microprocessors. Today, household appliances are exempt from Part 15 certification and problems associated with these unintentional radiators are dealt with after they generate interference to licensed services. The FCC could help itself in this matter with a rule change that includes appliances in the certification requirement. A bit of time spent on a rule change would pay great dividends in reducing their time spent on the enforcement effort. Paul, W9AC __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Post: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [AMRadio] FCC Non-cooperation (was ILLEGAL STUFF ON E BAY)
I'll bet there is _a lot_ of money in the hands of industry lobbyists who badly want that rule to not change. rob K5UJ On Wed, Mar 17, 2010 at 11:56 AM, Paul Christensen w...@arrl.net wrote: Still, the intent of Part 15 is to protect licensed users from interference from unlicensed devices, and the best option we have to enforce current regulations (or potentially get better ones) is to continue to elevate our concerns to the FCC and those who oversee the agency. 73, Bob W9RAN Excellent advise, Bob. Part 15 needs to get current with the times. As more consumers replace their household appliances with models that incorporate RFI/EMI emitting technology, the problem will only become worse. The certification section was last re-written at time when nearly all of our major household appliances did not contain SMPS and microprocessors. Today, household appliances are exempt from Part 15 certification and problems associated with these unintentional radiators are dealt with after they generate interference to licensed services. The FCC could help itself in this matter with a rule change that includes appliances in the certification requirement. A bit of time spent on a rule change would pay great dividends in reducing their time spent on the enforcement effort. Paul, W9AC __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Post: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Post: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [AMRadio] FCC Non-cooperation (was ILLEGAL STUFF ON E BAY)
What is to interfere with? All radio stuff is going 900 MHz or higher, cable satellite or fiber feed, spread spectrum, phasing noise and interference null, etc. No one listens to AM anymore, or even FM much. You think anyone is going to worry about ham radio? I don't think so... Brett - Original Message - From: Paul Christensen w...@arrl.net To: w9...@oneradio.net; Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 12:56 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] FCC Non-cooperation (was ILLEGAL STUFF ON E BAY) Still, the intent of Part 15 is to protect licensed users from interference from unlicensed devices, and the best option we have to enforce current regulations (or potentially get better ones) is to continue to elevate our concerns to the FCC and those who oversee the agency. 73, Bob W9RAN Excellent advise, Bob. Part 15 needs to get current with the times. As more consumers replace their household appliances with models that incorporate RFI/EMI emitting technology, the problem will only become worse. The certification section was last re-written at time when nearly all of our major household appliances did not contain SMPS and microprocessors. Today, household appliances are exempt from Part 15 certification and problems associated with these unintentional radiators are dealt with after they generate interference to licensed services. The FCC could help itself in this matter with a rule change that includes appliances in the certification requirement. A bit of time spent on a rule change would pay great dividends in reducing their time spent on the enforcement effort. Paul, W9AC __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Post: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Post: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
