[R-390] powerline noise

Mark Richards [email protected]
Thu, 27 Mar 2003 21:16:11 -0500


From the ARRL:

"If someone has exhausted every reasonable possibility at resolving a
power-line interference problem with a utility company, they can contact =
the
FCC Call Center and discuss their problem with one of the FCC personnel. =
If
the FCC staff feel that it would be helpful, they can send out their =
"RFI --
Power-Utility Letter" that explains the FCC rules, explains the possible
penalties for violating those rules and asks the utility operator to =
resolve
the problem voluntarily in a reasonable time period. "

I believe there is a written limit to their patience otherwise there =
would
be no statutory power available to the commission on these issues.  I =
recall
in one case that the utility was completely arrogant and refused =
repeated
attempts at resolution.  The FCC letter spelled it out and they jumped =
into
action. =20

>>The Utility usually has its hands full dealing with outage related
>>problems and will consider the noise trouble report a fairly low =
priority
>>in the grand scheme of things.
They might sink back into their easy-chair, but when informed of FCC
regulations on these matters, most utilities will heave ho.  Whatever =
the
reason, there's no excuse for brushing aside interference complaints.  =
Just
because we are a bunch of lowly ratepayers does not mean we can be =
written
off or excused away.

>>Threatening to call the FCC or the Public Service Commission
>>will usually just get you ignored!
The ARRL suggests that notifying the FCC should be the last step, should =
all
else fail.

There's a great reference available here:
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/rfi-elec.html

Best of luck,

-m-