ARRL Argues that Oklahoma Town’s RFI Ordinance is “Null and Void”

[ARRL]

Saying that only the Federal Communications Commission is empowered to regulate radio frequency interference (RFI), the ARRL has notified Midwest City, Oklahoma, that its local ordinance 27-3(9), seeking to regulate radio transmissions and RFI, is “null and void.” Midwest City is in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

Midwest City’s Ordinance 27-3(9) reads: “In addition to other public nuisance...





More...

 

[mackmobile43]

On one hand the FCC delegates the act of enforcement to local authorities then out the other side of their necks they say the local authorities have no right to regulate any RFI interference, which is it?:headbang

 

[Shockwave]

I wonder what made Midwest County put people with no technical background in charge of regulating something they don't understand? They should focus on simpler tasks first like reading the label on the back of every piece of consumer electronics that says "This device must accept interference.

Even the best designed transmitters have nearly the same potential to cause RFI when it's the desired transmitted signal itself that causes the RFI. This is the case with most interference today. The fundamental signal is simply rectified at some point inside the poorly designed consumer electronics.

The FCC and the ARRL recognize this fact but here is the key difference. The FCC doesn't see CB operators as having any rights and the ARRL will not fight for a CBer. Inform the FCC of your call sign and the harassment over RFI from them stops. If you're a CBer they make you jump through hoops.

Both the CBer and the Ham are affecting the consumer electronics device in the same way most of the time but each are treated differently. You can't argue that the CBer is worse because of harmonics. The only signals that would have been harmonically affected are no longer in use today with digital TV.

Until manufacturers are forced to remove the loophole label on the back and install a few bypassing caps inside, these problems will only get worse. Being that everything is made in China and we can't get them to keep lead paint out of childrens toys I don't have much hope of keeping RF out of electronics anytime soon.

 

[mackmobile43]

I wonder what made Midwest County put people with no technical background in charge of regulating something they don't understand? They should focus on simpler tasks first like reading the label on the back of every piece of consumer electronics that says "This device must accept interference.

Even the best designed transmitters have nearly the same potential to cause RFI when it's the desired transmitted signal itself that causes the RFI. This is the case with most interference today. The fundamental signal is simply rectified at some point inside the poorly designed consumer electronics.

The FCC and the ARRL recognize this fact but here is the key difference. The FCC doesn't see CB operators as having any rights and the ARRL will not fight for a CBer. Inform the FCC of your call sign and the harassment over RFI from them stops. If you're a CBer they make you jump through hoops.

Both the CBer and the Ham are affecting the consumer electronics device in the same way most of the time but each are treated differently. You can't argue that the CBer is worse because of harmonics. The only signals that would have been harmonically affected are no longer in use today with digital TV.

Until manufacturers are forced to remove the loophole label on the back and install a few bypassing caps inside, these problems will only get worse. Being that everything is made in China and we can't get them to keep lead paint out of childrens toys I don't have much hope of keeping RF out of electronics anytime soon.

This post brought a tear to old mack's eyes.

 

[loosecannon]

i wonder if one of the people involved in writing this new ordinance is the neighbor of a ham op. LOL
LC

 

[mackmobile43]

i wonder if one of the people involved in writing this new ordinance is the neighbor of a ham op. LOL
LC

Most likely.

 

[Shockwave]

The problem here is calling on your local municipality to regulate RF communications is like calling on your mechanic to set a broken bone. Each are equally unqualified to examine, diagnose, and fix the problem at hand. Even the federal government recognizes they are not qualified and originally formed the FCC that was staffed with technical people who knew how to do the job with much less technology back then. Now we have an FCC that's run amuck with private interests that buy spectrum and many employees who have a ticket but lack technical skills.

The FCC failed to protect the consumer by allowing electronics to flood the market that completely disregarded the aspect of RFI immunity. This places people in the situation of receiving RFI to complain to everyone from the local police to the zoning board. That puts them in the position of thinking they can regulate it.

What also bothers me is that some cities and states are working on laws that will prohibit the use of all handheld electronics devices while driving. In some cases they include the operation of a radio transceiver much the same as a hand held cell phone. Hams get the ARRL to put pressure on the FCC and local governments involved to exclude them, but not CBers. Perhaps we need a ACBL (American Citizens Band League).

 

[mackmobile43]

The FMCSA has already banned texting by truck drivers which is a good idea in my opinion but as far as the cb radio is concerned they should just let go.