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I'm sure everyone remembers me noise issue... (update)

Greg T

WDX-945 (Jazz Singer) Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Sep 18, 2014
1,460
2,503
273
72
Escanaba, Michigan
Well, after nearly a year of putting up with my neighbor's noise issue, it disappeared. I hated to do it, and I thought nothing would come of it, but I ended up going to the FCC about it. Low and behold, 5 months later I am clear again. I can't say for certain it was Uncle Charlie, but the neighbors would not talk to me, nor would the home owners. But, 5 months after the complaint the noise has disappeared. I wish there was a way to tell if they received a letter or not.
 

Why would anyone not talking on the air purposfuly interfer? To bad Uncle Sam never updated you on the solution? If it was a plasma TV or Solar Power Inverter etc????
 
Why would anyone not talking on the air purposfuly interfer? To bad Uncle Sam never updated you on the solution? If it was a plasma TV or Solar Power Inverter etc????
I can't honestly say that what they did was intentional. However, I had the city power crew working daily for nearly a month, going thru the entire distribution line in the neighborhood. They even piggybacked my distribution network to another one, eliminating my transformer. When all was said and done, they pulled my neighbor's meter and the noise went away. This was repeated many times just to be sure, we know it was THAT house. The city crew foreman knocked on their door and spoke with the lady of the house, explained everything, and told her the noise was pinpointed to HER house. She quickly replied: "We've been here for 5 years and haven't changed anything." She then slammed the door. So, even tho it may not have been intentional, she was aware of the situation and refused to talk about it or investigate. I didn't even have the opportunity to tell her that I would pay for the repair or the fix for the problem. Then I contacted the owner of the house. That did not go well, either. I was left with no choice but to file a complaint with uncle charlie. Believe me, it was the last thing I wanted to do and it took me two months of thinking before I acted. But, I finally did and made it as formal as I possibly could. The problem with informal complaints is that you have no way to follow the progress. The do not send updates or let you know anything, so all I could do is wait. Well, nearly 6 months after filing the complaint, the noise disappeared. BUT, I have no idea why. If it WAS the FCC, I'm home free. If not, well, it could return tomorrow.
 
I know just about a mile from me, which is the highest point around here, when I am in my mobile and have to practically stop to turn left, there is a set of power lines crossing the road that completely trashes my receive on my cobra 148. There is a house on each side of the road there. Good thing they not into CB, because I know their reception would be NIL.
 
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@Greg T

Well Greg, I'm glad you took my advice and contacted the FCC when you did.

What you haven't told us was if the FCC contacted you, in anyway about the issue with your complaint, before the RFI problem went away.

It's also possible that your utility company, after doing all the work in your neighborhood to eliminate any possible cause to your noise problem, may have contacted the FCC. After all they should have also contacted the FCC to let them know what they did and found to be the problem, and got the door slammed in their face.

There is a possibility that the FCC paid them a visit after doing an RFI test in your area, it would have taken no time for them to find it.

If you have a job and are not home during the day, the FCC may have paid a visit to your neighbor, with the police and a warrant, to pin point the cause of your problem inside their house.

Maybe you should contact the FCC to find out if they did anything, and if for nothing else but to let them know that the noise has stopped. This way if it starts again, you can contact the FCC again to report it.

Good Luck, and let's all pray that we've heard the end of your noise problem.

May this be a lesson to all others with external noise (RFI) problems to their radio equipment.

73
 
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@Greg T

Well Greg, I'm glad you took my advice and contacted the FCC when you did.

What you haven't told us was if the FCC contacted you, in anyway about the issue with your complaint, before the RFI problem went away.

It's also possible that your utility company, after doing all the work in your neighborhood to eliminate any possible cause to your noise problem, may have contacted the FCC. After all they should have also contacted the FCC to let them know what they did and found to be the problem, and got the door slammed in their face.

There is a possibility that the FCC paid them a visit after doing an RFI test in your area, it would have taken no time for them to find it.

If you have a job and are not home during the day, the FCC may have paid a visit to your neighbor, with the police and a warrant, to pin point the cause of your problem inside their house.

Maybe you should contact the FCC to find out if they did anything, and if for nothing else but to let them know that the noise has stopped. This way if it starts again, you can contact the FCC again to report it.

Good Luck, and let's all pray that we've heard the end of your noise problem.

May this be a lesson to all others with external noise (RFI) problems to their radio equipment.

73
The only thing I received from the FCC was a confirmation email with a ticket number, automated, I'm sure. An informal complaint has no way to follow, no updates, no correspondence. According to the rules, the offender is supposed to get a letter and they have 30 days to take care of the issue AND, write the FCC and me and tell the steps they took to correct the problem. I received nothing from anyone. The only way to get someone here to actually check it out is to file a formal complaint, which costs a minimum of $650.00. I chose the alternative. BUT, the informal complaint sacrifices the communication between the FCC and me. I could respond to the ticket number email, but I doubt I would get anything back.
 
I have the same situation and filed an online complaint with the FCC about 3 years ago. After working with the utility company which was very supportive and even switched out the meter on the offending house for confirmation I tried the FCC’s online complaint form. Absolutely no help. Within minutes I received a canned response saying there was nothing they could do and I need to work it out with the homeowner. Needless to say that was one of the first things I did before contacting them. I even gave them the address of the house but nothing. I live outside Chicago so I know there are FCC resources in the area.I’m glad they took care of your problem. Hopefully it stays quiet.
 
I have the same situation and filed an online complaint with the FCC about 3 years ago. After working with the utility company which was very supportive and even switched out the meter on the offending house for confirmation I tried the FCC’s online complaint form. Absolutely no help. Within minutes I received a canned response saying there was nothing they could do and I need to work it out with the homeowner. Needless to say that was one of the first things I did before contacting them. I even gave them the address of the house but nothing. I live outside Chicago so I know there are FCC resources in the area.I’m glad they took care of your problem. Hopefully it stays quiet.
Well, when I filled out my complaint, I mentioned the supervisor's name from the city who worked on the issue, the renter's names and the home owners names. And, gave all the addresses and phone numbers as well. I told them we tried to contact them, tried to work it out but they slammed the door and didn't want to hear it. Basically, I wrote everything that happened to show them I had exhausted my possibilities for resolution. I then cited the rules and regulations and even interpreted their own laws to make sure whomever read the complaint would understand that I know my rights as a licensed operator. They had nothing left to suggest to me. Here is the letter I wrote:

"I am experiencing harmful interference that prevents nearly all use of my CB radio at 819 Washington Avenue, Escanaba, Michigan. 49829.
The interference sounds like broadband hash, similar to white noise and occurs 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. Never ending. My radios show 8+ S units of interference, rendering them nearly useless. The source is located at a neighboring residence and may be caused by faulty wiring or some appliance or equipment in that home. City of Escanaba power company worked tirelessly on this issue for me and pinpointed the noise to a house at 825 Washington Avenue, Escanaba, Michigan. 49829.

The home is occupied by Michael and Tracy ******* (Renters) and is owned by Kelly and Lindsey ****. Both occupants and the Home owners have been contacted with no results. The supervisor working on the solution was Josh ***** and may be contacted via the City of Escanaba, Michigan.

Rule Basis: Under FCC Part 15 rules (§15.5), unlicensed devices must not cause harmful interference to radio services. CB radio operates under FCC Part 95, Subpart D, and is protected from such interference.

Action Requested: I respectfully request FCC investigation and resolution of this harmful interference.
Thank you,
Gregory Tolman"
 
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