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Section 6
Electromagnetic Compatibility
Social aspects and testing
6G1 Recall that EMC problems have the potential for causing neighbour disputes.
When you operate you Transmitter think that there is the possibility that you could cause interference. You can reduce the likelihood of neighbourly disputes if you have any doubt that may be you could cause interference by :-
When dealing with a neighbour never admit to causing the interference but refer to it as an EMC problem.
The picture above shows what happens if a hand held transceiver is positioned near to an ANALOGUE TV whilst the PTT is pressed. This is the sort of interference that your neighbour might see on their TV right in the middle of "Easter Enders" and would almost certainly result in a defiant hammering on your front door
If your neighbour's receiving equipment lacks immunity from strong RF signal that you transmit then it is necessary to carry out a few tests to locate the source of the problem - it might not be you !!!!
If your neighbour is agreeable suggest that you go and transmit and that a friend of yours with a hand held to observe the interference in your neighbours equipment. Assuming that the interference is "real" and not imaginary then suggest you call in the help of your local club to try to resolve the problem with a few filters.
If there is not interference seen then do not just say "Oh well its gone away" but suggest that you neighbour keeps a log of when the interference takes place and what its the effect. You will need the date and time and duration. After that you can get together again and compare your log book and their log and it will be obvious whether it is you or not.
You must be aware that if you cannot resolve the matter that the local office of the Radiocommunication Agency will need to be involved to help resolve the problem. This service is not free and will almost certainly lead to your station being closed for a period of time to let matters cool down. Then when the situation is calmer there will be a better chance to sort things out for if the interference continues you would not be the culprit and would then try to sort it out from a stronger position.
Recall that the RSGB produce EMC and Interference information leaflets.
The RSGB produce EMC and Interference information leaflets.
Recall that advice is available from the RSGB EMC Committee and recall the role Ofcom in dealing with cases of interference.
The RSGB EMC Committee can give advice to you and and if necessary you can resort to involving Ofcom as a last resort in dealing with cases of interference.
6G2 Understand that the station log will be of considerable assistance in dealing with complaints of interference, and that this is a good reason to keep a log of all transmissions.
Although the licence that you obtain does not make it necessary to keep a log of your transmission keeping such a log of your transmission e.g. time on and time off and which mode and what power you are using will be a great help in resolving disputes with neighbours especially if they keep a log of when interference occurs. By comparing the two log you will be able to see you your transmissions are the ones causing the neighbour's problems.
Understand the merits of both the amateur and the complainant keeping a log of the instances of interference.
As indicated above the advantage of both you and the neighbour keep a log.
Understand the merit of conducting tests in cooperation with the complainant in instances of interference
If your neighbour
is agreeable suggest that you go and transmit and that a friend of yours
with a hand held to observe the interference in your neighbours
equipment. Assuming that the interference is "real" and not imaginary
then suggest you call in the help of your local club to try to resolve
the problem with a few filters.
The origin of some of the text on this page is from the RSGB with additions by the web master
