PG&E Responds to Amateur Noise Complaints
from
The ARRL Letter/ARRL
on
February 22, 2000
Website:
http://www.arrl.org
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POWER COMPANY ACTS ON AMATEUR COMPLAINTS
After prodding by the FCC, Pacific Gas & Electric Company says it's
making headway in mitigating long-standing power-line noise complaints from
several Northern California amateurs. Not all complaints have been resolved,
however, and several new ones have sprung up in the interim.
The hams involved in the initial complaints had been unsuccessful getting the
West Coast power company to investigate their reports of severe noise, so they
turned to the ARRL and the FCC for help. In late November, the FCC wrote
PG&E to remind the utility of its obligation to rectify equipment problems
that cause harmful radio interference. The FCC requested that the company
correct the problems "within a reasonable time" and report back.
The complainants were four hams in the Los Gatos/San Jose area and another in
Berkeley. ARRL Lab Supervisor Ed Hare, W1RFI--the League's point man for RF
interference issues--says the League has since received reports from additional
hams in PG&E's service area. Those complaints were forwarded to PG&E for
resolution.
In a letter to the FCC, PG&E Manager for Operations and Construction
Robert Lipscomb summarized progress in clearing up the initial complaints. The
work included replacing poles, guy wires, insulators, and transformers as well
as installing radio/television interference "clips" at one site and
re-routing a service drop at another. Lipscomb conceded, however, that the
utility still has additional work to do. PG&E personnel continue to work
with Hare in resolving the complaints. Hare says not all of the five hams who
complained have been contacted by PG&E. One still has severe interference,
he says, and another has intermittent interference.
Some interference has been cleared up, however. Lipscomb told that in at
least one of the five original cases, "the customer has been contacted and
he is satisfied."
The FCC's Part 15 rules obligate utilities and others that fall under their
provisions to not cause harmful interference to licensed services and to cease
operating a device that's causing harmful interference upon FCC notification.
The ARRL Technical Information Service offers more information on how to deal
with power line interference at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/rfi-elec.html.
Amateurs suffering from interference believed to be emanating from power
generation or transmission facilities may contact Ed Hare, W1RFI, 860-594-0318; rfi@arrl.org.
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
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PG&E Responds to Amateur Noise Complaints
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by N5VZQ on March 6, 2000
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As far back as I can remember, there has ALWAYS been a problem with PG&E and RFI. I'm glad to see that they're getting a little prodding to resolve the problem. Maybe now the RFI level won't be S9+20?
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PG&E Responds to Amateur Noise Complaints
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by K1XT on February 22, 2000
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It's nice to see some headway being made with regards to utility RFI. Many thanks to the FCC for stepping in.
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RE: PG&E Responds to Amateur Noise Complaints
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by N4ZOU on May 9, 2000
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When I first moved into my home here in Alabama and put up a dipole to get on the air from the new QTH I found a very high noise level. I got out and walked around and found the problem. A transformer on a pole 2 blocks away was loose and would move with the wind. A small portable radio confirmed the noise/movement change. I reported this to the local power company and got a responce that was less than what I expected. This clocked own for 2 months. The problem was fixed when the transformer worked it's way loose from the pole and fell to the ground taking the power lines with it!
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EMI/RFI
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by W0FMS on May 17, 2000
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I have the same problem in my neighborhood with Alliant Energy. I've been told that they acknowledge the problem
exists, but they have done "line checks" and they are ok. When I asked specifically what line checks I was told "line checks" and they refused to elaborate. They claim the noise source is a battery backup unit for the cable television. When I asked the power company if they attempted to disconnect the source to see if it actually
was the problem they said no, that they needed "permission" from the cable company. I asked if they would have needed permission if it were in my house and they said "no"! They told me that I would have to live with it.
I guess I'll have to contact the cable company too... but they will deny everything as well.
I sent a e-mail to the ARRL about the situation, (rfi@arrl.org) but in typical League fashion they have not bothered
to reply. I hate to bother the FCC, but S-5 to S-7 noise levels from AM BCB to 21 MHZ, and TVI at channels up
to 7 are starting to get annoying.
Any hints from any of you guys out there on how I should proceed? I have both the ARRL RFI Book, and the
"Interference Handbook" and am a EE, so I know more about the situation than the tech from the power company did.
Thanks...
W0FMS
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RE: EMI/RFI
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by RobertKoernerExAE7G on June 2, 2000
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Try contacting the state utility regulators.
At least here in AZ, they have been able to get US West to respond to my problems with US Worst's telephone service.
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PG&E Responds to Amateur Noise Complaints
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by WB1FPA on July 23, 2000
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Let's face it. When we complain & fianally get
a power company to repair a "noise" problem we are
actually helping all the people who purchase power
from that company. The noise prone power companies
are usually poorly run operations with the PUC in
their back pocket. "Noise" is LOST POWER. With the
PUC in your back pocket you can get the consumers to
pay for the lost power and look good to your
stockholders as well because you can lay off your line
crews (especially sweet if they are approaching
retirement age).
If you have a problem and the power company won't
help, document it in writing, with names and dates.
Complain to the power company, then the company and
the PUC, then Co, PUC, FCC, ARRL and perhaps your
state's Attorney General. Escalate as much as you
can. You & and your neighbors deserve better. There
are power companies with pristine lines. I don't know
why they don't subscribe to the above "make em pay"
philosophy, but the good companies deserve praise and
the bad companies should improve their act.
73, Tom Howey WB1FPA
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Power Line RFI
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by W0FMS on August 2, 2000
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Still nothing from Alliant about my RFI and others in Cedar Rapids.
However, the League *has* gotten involved, and has gone as far as sending out a letter (about a 1.5 months ago) and since Alliant has IGNORED the letter, my understanding is that the FCC has been contacted as well.
So I take back the negative ARRL comment, and can say at least they are trying for me and another gentelman
here in CR to represent us. Not bad for $30/yr.
Maybe someday the S7-S9 RFI on the Entire 20m band will be gone. And the S1-S5 on segments of 40m, 17m 12m will too at my QTH. I can only hope.
In the meantime, I hope lightning strikes the line close to me! But not TOO close to me! :-)
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RE: EMI/RFI
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by N0RTU on February 14, 2004
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Hello W0FMS
I've had no dealings with Alliant Energy, but, let me suggest a couple of things.
If you've contacted a business office or company "official", you are probably talking to the wrong person.
Do you know any of your local area "troublemen" or "servicemen".
These guys typically drive the smaller one ton "bucket" trucks around. There are generally troublemen on duty 24 hrs a day. They are out and about when the regular "line crews" go home. In my area, these "troublemen" are the more experienced linemen and for the most part, have seen literally tons of weird problems.
If you can, try to run down one of these guys and ask nicely if they would have the time to come check things out. You might explain that you've had no luck trying to go the "office" route and you really would appreciate any help the man could offer. I'll bet this will get you some action.
Next, if the above does you no good, I like to use "Plan B". I'll go to my area service center and ask to speak to the Line superintendent. He is usually a Lineman with many years of experience, has to fight daily with the "bean counters" above him, and knows something about power line noise. I'm sure if your demeanor is pleasant and your request is to the point, you'll get help. Remember, like many other businesses today, power companies are overloaded with "managers and directors" . After having spent several years now around these types, let me tell you that if you are talking to a "manager", you are basically talking to a person who doesn't know a damn thing about power. They know about paperwork and politics. It seems that having knowledge of electrical power is no longer a requirement to run a power company. You just have to have nice clothes and a spiffy haircut. This really sucks, but that is the way it is today.
I hope this gets you started in the right direction.
73
MIke
N0RTU
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