[Elecraft] OT--RFI Issue

[Jay]

I had a real issue in the late 70's. We lived in the fringe area of 
terrestrial TV (> 50 miles) so signal strength was "iffy" from the start for 
the lower channels (CH2 and CH4).

I was creaming a neighbors TV. I looked at her TV antenna and saw 2 300 ohm 
leads tied to it. So I explained to her in simple pictures how the 2 wires 
were "really killing things". I then explained that maybe going to one feed 
(and explained in pictures about RG59 and a couple of transformers could 
help...back then many TVs were just 300 ohms). I changed it over for her and 
it did get better but still had quite an issue with channel 2.

So I ran 150 feet of RG59 from my cable TV splitter and hooked it up to 
their TV. Swung the antenna directly at their hours, full amp output and 
VOILA no more TVI. So I asked her "To ease the situation, I'll pay your 
$7/month basic cable fee and you just have it installed". She didn't go for 
that because "I hear cable keeps going out" (and that was quite true back 
then).

Her genius boyfriend then suggested I install a 40 foot high, 200 foot long 
copper screen between our properties..boy genius eh? Sterba [sturba?] 
curtain in his mind?

So with that data I sent the FCC a letter and they replied with that I had 
done was more than is expected of us hams. If my neighbor didn't want to 
cooperate, basically, they said too bad for them. They stated stay on the 
air...if they have an issue let them contact the FCC directly. Well that 
week I did get on and did mess up her CH2 and she called. My XYL answered 
the phone and told her we offered you the solution but you refused. Not sure 
what happened after that as no more calls came to us and they were still 
fine neighbors...go figure.

40 plus years later, undeground power and telephone lines, satellite TV and 
only one issue about 15 years ago with someone with a 49mhz wireless phone. 
They called the cops on me. I asked the cop on the phone for her badge 
number and told her the next time that she calls my home she will have 
another issue as I explained her that she was completely out of her 
jurisdiction. I told the cop have the complainer come on over and I'll get 
her a more advanced phone for my peace of mind. The neighbor, who was on 
another line listening, refused the offer. I said "Well not much more I can 
do" and the cop said "I have it in tape" and I
said "Yeah, so what...would you like the address for the FCC so you can send 
it to them?" Never a word since.......from the cop or the neighbor.

Heard of one instance I think in the 80's due to rectification from a rusty 
rain gutter...it was supposedly a true story but no Google or Snopes.com 
around to find out. Hard to believe but never got the method used in finding 
the rust ..probably observing harmonics but no details on exactly how it was 
discovered "way back then".

What I have found if one knows their rights in this hobby, outside 
"annoying" parties can be corrected but it should be done in a non hostile 
manner. The planning "engineer" for the town asked me, on my tower 
application permit to paint the tower blue. I said nicely "Why?" He said "To 
match the sky" ..I said jokingly "When was the last time you saw a blue sky 
in this area of California?"..followed by a less jokingly approach with 
"Will you accept the liability if the paint degrades the tower, since its 
not built that way and could affect its performance, and it comes down and 
kills someone?"

 He then X'd that off his dopey list. I got my permit 6 weeks later...that 
was in 1996 and it hangs in the garage today for all to see!

Jay



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Fjeld" <rpfjeld at embarqmail.com>
To: "Dyarnes" <w7aqk at cox.net>; <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 11:01 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT--RFI Issue


> "Often the problem, is convincing the "affected party" that it really is a
> defect in their equipment, or installation thereof, and not yours.  Of
> course, you need to be pretty darned sure that is the case!  "
>
> The FCC used to send out a packet of information to people who complained 
> explaining in part, that it was probably their equipment that was 
> inadequate.  I don't know if this is still being done. Perhaps you could 
> get one.  It sort of breaks the ice.
>
> Rich, n0ce
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