[Elecraft] RF radiating appliances

[Fred Jensen]

On 1/20/2012 4:39 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> OTOH,  There are FCC limits for unintentional radiators too.  Yes
> proving that those devices are radiating and making a case for FCC
> action may indeed be difficult, but from what I have found from various
> posts are that Plasma TVs may make a good "first test case".

47CFR15 defines three categories of radiators that it regulates [or 
attempts to].

Intentional:  Most of the 2.4Ghz devices except ours, we actually have 
an allocation [good luck with that], BPL, smart meters, remote reading 
thermometers, garage door openers/closers.  They radiate because they 
have to radiate in order to work.

Unintentional:  Computers, TV's, Ethernet devices.  They don't need to 
radiate, but they need the signals internally, and unfortunately they 
radiate them.

Incidental:  Noisemakers.  SWPS's, CFL's, motor controllers, Plasma 
TV's.  They just generate the signals as a result of what they do, they 
don't need them, they just happen, and they radiate them.

Two big problems for licensed services [that would be us in this 
conversation] with Part 15 regulation:

Any of the three can create problems.  It's up to us to find them, 
however the vast majority are consumer devices, purchased in ignorance 
of Part 15 but in good faith by your neighbors.  How many of your 
neighbors do you want to make enemies of and take to the FCC?  In some 
cases you can offer to fix ... very litigious society we now live in, 
I'm not going to do much of that.  I do fix the fences, I've got good 
neighbors.

Once some device or technology becomes ubiquitous [love that word!], it 
really doesn't matter if it is in violation of Part 15.  If BPL really 
was a viable technology and really had caught on, how far into 
deployment would it take before the answer is, "Sorry, we can't 
un-deploy it."

I really think it comes down to a question of how much enforcement do we 
want to pay for.  Most products in the US are self-certified for 
compliance.  True?  Maybe, maybe not, but who's to know?  The FCC is 
tax-supported and dwindling in size.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012
- www.cqp.org