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" <[email protected]>
To: "Dyarnes" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
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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