[ICOM] Power line interference and the FCC (Was Icom noise blanker)

[W7RY]

This is from the ARRL web site. It looks like the FCC does take and
active role in power line interference issues.

73
Jim W7RY


>From the ARRL Web site:
http://www.arrl.org/news/enforcement_logs/2006/0216.html?nc=1



January 24, 2006 

David McGinnis, CEO
Grayson-Collin Electric Coop
PO Box 548
Van Alstyne, TX 75495-0548 


Dear Mr. McGinnis: 


The Federal Communications Commission has received complaints that
equipment operated by your utility may be causing harmful radio
interference to an operator in the Amateur Radio Service. The
complainant is: 


Name withheld
Address withheld
Melissa, TX 
(telephone number withheld) 


The FCC has the responsibility to require that utility companies rectify
such problems within a reasonable time if the interference is caused by
faulty power utility equipment. Under FCC rules, most power-line and
related equipment is classified as an "incidental radiator." This term
is used to describe equipment that does not intentionally generate any
radio-frequency energy, but that may create such energy as an incidental
part of its intended operation. 


To help you better understand your responsibilities under FCC rules,
here are the most important rules relating to radio and television
interference from incidental radiators: 


Title 47, CFR Section 15.5 General conditions of operation. 


(b) Operation of an intentional, unintentional, or incidental radiator
is subject to the conditions that no harmful interference is caused and
that interference must be accepted that may be caused by the operation
of an authorized radio station, by another intentional or unintentional
radiator, by industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment, or by
an incidental radiator. 


(c) The operator of the radio frequency device shall be required to
cease operating the device upon notification by a Commission
representative that the device is causing harmful interference.
Operation shall not resume until the condition causing the harmful
interference has been corrected. 


Title 47, CFR Section 15.13 Incidental radiators. 


Manufacturers of these devices shall employ good engineering practices
to minimize the risk of harmful interference. 


Title 47, CFR Section 15.15 General technical requirements. 


(c) Parties responsible for equipment compliance should note that the
limits specified in this part will not prevent harmful interference
under all circumstances. Since the operators of Part 15 devices are
required to cease operation should harmful interference occur to
authorized users of the radio frequency spectrum, the parties
responsible for equipment compliance are encouraged to employ the
minimum field strength necessary for communications, to provide greater
attenuation of unwanted emissions than required by these regulations,
and to advise the user as to how to resolve harmful interference
problems (for example, see Sec. 15.105(b)). 


The complainant has attempted unsuccessfully to work through your usual
complaint resolution process and as a result the matter has been
referred to our office. The FCC prefers that those responsible for the
proper operation of power lines assume their responsibilities fairly.
This means that your utility company should locate the source of any
interference caused by its equipment and make necessary corrections
within a reasonable time. 


While the FCC has confidence that most utility companies are able to
resolve these issues voluntarily, the FCC wants to make your office
aware that this unresolved problem may be a violation of FCC rules and
could result in a monetary forfeiture for each occurrence. At this
stage, the FCC encourages the parties to resolve this problem without
FCC intervention, but if necessary to facilitate resolution, the FCC may
investigate possible rules violations and address appropriate remedies. 


The American Radio Relay League, a national organization of Amateur
Radio operators, may be able to offer help and guidance about radio
interference that involves Amateur Radio operators. 


American Radio Relay League
Radio Frequency Interference Desk
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111
860-594-0200
E-mail: rfi at arrl.org 


Please advise the complainant what steps your utility company is taking
to correct this reported interference problem. The FCC expects that most
cases can be resolved within 60 days of the time they are first reported
to the utility company. If you are unable to resolve this February 28,
2006, please advise this office about the nature of the problem, the
steps you are taking to resolve it and the estimated time in which those
steps can be accomplished. 



-----Original Message-----
From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Bill NY9H
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 6:38 AM
To: ICOM Reflector
Subject: RE: [ICOM] Icom noise blanker

HI Adam,

actually I got the FCC to send some emails but THEY ( FCC)  found no 
noise when they went driving their very insensitive van to the area. ,,,
amazing cause ComED did detect alot of problems!!!!
I have the confidence of the ComEd engineer   but not of FCC I guess,

I did not realize that the dsp could withstand such a barrage of
noise...
even the NB in the P3 gets nuts with loud close in signals,,,,

bill

At 11:56 AM 2/22/2006, you wrote:

>Hi Bill,
>
>If the garbage is strong enough to overload the front end, it will also
do
>this before it can get to an analogue noise blanker (which is usually
in the
>455 kHz IF).
>
>Have you thought of lodging a complaint against VEB ComEd with your
state
>PUC?
>
>Cheers for now, 73,
>Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ

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