[Elecraft] Touch lamps

[Duncan Carter]

I had two tough controlled reading lamps in my bedroom.  They didn't 
cause rfi but they changed on/off state each time I transmitted.  
Ferrite clamps didn't change the sensitivity of the lamps to RF.  I 
replaced them with manual switch controlled lamps; my #2 son who is not 
a ham has them now.

73m Dunc, W5DC

Jim Wiley wrote:
> 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
>>   
>>
>>     
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