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CERTIFIED MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
August 10, 2010
(Name withheld)
(Address withheld)
(Address withheld)
RE: EB-10-GB-0100
Radio frequency interference
Dear Mr. & Mrs. (name withheld):
The Federal Communications Commission has received a complaint that a
device, apparently a television set, is causing harmful radio interference
to an operator in the Amateur Radio Service. The source of this
interference has been traced to a residence for which you are the owner of
record at (address withheld). The complainant is:
(name withheld)
(address withheld)
(address withheld)
(address withheld)
The Commission has the responsibility to require that such problems be
rectified within a reasonable time if the interference is caused by faulty
consumer equipment. Under FCC rules, certain equipment is classified as an
"unintentional radiator." These devices generate radio frequency energy
but do not intentionally radiate it. Examples not only include television
sets but computers, radio receivers and many other consumer electronic
devices. Some of these devices are imported and do not comply with
Commission certification standards, and thereby result in interference to
other radio services. You may have one of those devices. If the device is
an approved one, it should have a silver FCC label on the unit showing a
certification number. Even an approved device, however, can only be
operated legally if it is not causing harmful interference to a licensed
radio service. In some cases, the device can also be defective resulting
in a possible shock or fire hazard.
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 resolve this problem and
as a result the matter has been referred to our office. The Commission
prefers that those responsible for the proper operation of equipment
assume their responsibilities fairly. This means that you should resolve
the interference caused by the device and make necessary corrections
within a reasonable time.
While the Commission has confidence that most people are able to resolve
these issues voluntarily, the Commission wants to make you aware that this
unresolved problem may be a violation of FCC rules and could result in a
monetary forfeiture (fine) for each occurrence. At this stage, the
Commission encourages the parties to resolve this problem without
Commission intervention; but if necessary to facilitate resolution, the
Commission may investigate possible rules violations and address
appropriate remedies.
Please advise this office and (name withheld) as to what steps you are
taking to correct this reported interference problem. The Commission
expects that most cases can be resolved within 30 days of the time they
are first reported. Please feel free to contact me in writing at: 1270
Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or via telephone at 717-338-2577 if
you have any questions about this matter.
Sincerely,
Laura L. Smith, Esq.
Special Counsel
Enforcement Bureau
cc: Honolulu Resident Agent
Western Regional Director