[KL7AA] FW: [FCC Complaints] Re: Radio Interference from lighting ballast

[David Heimke]

All,

 

As most of you certainly know, operating amateur radio today can be challenging due to the increasing noise caused by all things electrical, and only going to get worse as the world gears up for “the internet of things”.  But that doesn’t mean we have to just turn off our gear or simply accept the increased noise floor on our S-meters.

 

There has been a lot of work done by hams to reduce or eliminate noise and that work and literature are easy to find.  Using common mode filters on incoming coax or ferrites on power and computer cables is well understood.

 

But the reason I am writing is to share what a complaint I posted recently to the FCC looks like since we have recently been encumbered by a grow light ballast and its strong RFI.  If we don’t let this FCC know it matters, I don’t know that they will respond to this ever increasing issue.  Quite a lot of information is available on the ARRL website, go to Technical and explore the RFI section.

 

I encourage those of you to use this resource to provide the FCC with input from the public.

 

Dave AL7LO

 

From: FCC [mailto:consumercomplaints at fcc.gov] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 4:10 AM
To: David Heimke
Subject: [FCC Complaints] Re: Radio Interference from lighting ballast

 

##- Please type your reply above this line -##

This ticket (#758794 <https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/requests/758794> ) has been updated.



Zen51 (FCC Complaints) 

Jan 26, 8:09 AM 

Hi David

Your complaint provides valuable information and is shared among FCC bureaus and offices to spot trends and practices that warrant investigation and enforcement action. If the FCC needs more information about your complaint, we will contact you directly.

Each year, the Enforcement Bureau takes hundreds of actions on behalf of consumers that result in tens of millions of dollars in penalties. These actions encourage companies and individuals to abide by the law and reduce future misconduct.

Thank you for your help in furthering the FCC’s mission on behalf of consumers.

 



David Heimke 

Jan 17, 9:09 PM 

Our local AM radio and shortwave/amateur radio is being interfered with by an Aurora 1000 electronic ballast. The neighbor is cooperating, but it is costing all of us frustration and money trying to find a suitable filter that is UL compliant for safety reasons. 
The ballast radiates out several city blocks in radius. Within 300 yards it renders communications impossible in frequencies below 14 MHz and degrades signal levels up to 25 MHz, and that is listening to shortwave broadcast or amateur radio. It can also be heard in the AM broadcast band. I have attached a short audio file to illuminate the sound.
I am a professional electrical engineer, a licensed FCC radiotelephone technician, and an amateur radio licensed operator. I am limited in what I can do and still be able to provide a UL compliant filter. Many of us would appreciate some FCC assistance as these lights are clearly non compliant with the FCC rules and are illegally radiating.

Attachment(s)
Ballast RFI 7 MHz AM 11 25 2015.m4a <https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/attachments/token/ag5vjYrUSGG3tXDI8QB3LdcI9/?name=Ballast+RFI+7+MHz+AM+11+25+2015.m4a> 

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