[InHam] INARRL BULLETIN 038-2003

[Brian Murrey]

INARRL BULLETIN 038-2003
21:37:00 EST 09/11/2003 de KB9BVN

FCC Asks Power Company to Try Harder to Resolve Noise Complaints

NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 11, 2003--The FCC has asked American Electric Power
Company of Columbus, Ohio, to revisit several power line noise
complaints and try harder to resolve them. The cases involve four
Amateur Radio operators in Ohio, Indiana and Oklahoma.

FCC Part 15 rules classify most power lines and related equipment as
"incidental radiators" and prohibit harmful interference to licensed
services.

"While we certainly appreciate the considerable effort that AEP afforded
this matter, we are puzzled by the lack of results," FCC Special Counsel
Riley Hollingsworth wrote August 26 in a letter to AEP Senior Vice
President Marsha P. Ryan. "In most cases, a noise source can be located
easily by trained personnel using the proper equipment."

AEP responded February 10 to the FCC's initial correspondence regarding
the four cases. Hollingsworth says, however, that follow-up reports from
the complainants suggest discrepancies exist between what AEP told the
FCC and what the complainants report. Hollingsworth said evidence to
date indicates that none of the cases has been resolved successfully
even though each "has been ongoing for a considerable period of time--in
some cases for years."

In one case, AEP identified the amateur's own tower as the source of the
noise.

Jerry Daugherty, W9FS, of South Bend, Indiana, told the FCC that he's
heard nothing from AEP and was not even aware that the utility was
considering his case closed. "As of June 20, 2003, the noise was present
at VHF and coming from several different locations," Hollingsworth said,
citing information from Daugherty.

James Kiskis, W8PA, of Gallipolis, Ohio, reported to the Commission
that, although interference identified as coming from two utility poles
was fixed, it has since returned from one of them. Kiskis told
Hollingsworth that an AEP interference investigator showed up at his
residence June 23 and--using a spectrum analyzer hooked up to Kiskis'
antenna--found strong noise present at 14 and 28 MHz. The investigator
reportedly told Kiskis that that he was turning his findings over to a
line crew to have the problems repaired.

Using special equipment, ARRL RFI Specialist Mike Gruber, W1MG, attempts
to pin down the source of power line QRN that's been affecting Maxim
Memorial Station W1AW.

William Hannon, N8PW, of Canton, Ohio, confirmed to the FCC that AEP had
repaired several suspect utility poles, "including one very significant
noise source," Hollingsworth said. But, he added in his letter to Ryan,
Hannon "continues to experience strong noise in dry weather conditions
when his antenna is pointed east."

Howard McCloud, KC5RGC, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, reported power line noise
last April and identified its source for AEP as utility lines about a
mile from his station. "Mr. McCloud is not aware that AEP has attempted
to correct it," Hollingsworth wrote. "AEP now apparently maintains that
the source of the noise is McCloud's antenna, even when it is
disconnected and on the ground," a conclusion Hollingsworth labeled
"patently defective." McCloud reports relatively strong noise on HF that
continues 24/7.

Hollingsworth asked AEP to "revisit each of these cases" and to update
the FCC within 45 days of any progress in each case. He also referred
the power company to ARRL RFI Specialist Mike Gruber, W1MG, for
technical assistance in resolving the cases.

FCC Part 15 rules classify most power lines and related equipment as
"incidental radiators." Section 15.5 requires that intentional,
unintentional or incidental radiators cause no harmful interference.


========================================
Brian Murrey - KB9BVN
KB9BVN@arrl.net
Indiana Section Bulletin Manager
(317)535-9887
========================================