See:
https://www.nk7z.net/rfi-snapshots/grow-lights/
for SDR Spectrograms of several different grow lights... Time runs
along the vertical axis, and frequency along the horizontal axes. The
B/W Spectrograms show a 24 hour period of time.
There seems to be so many lights that are not compliant, that is has
become a loosing battle for me, and I suspect others... With the lack
of FCC and customs intervention/enforcement on incoming, and existing
items, it has become a reactive issue for the FCC, not a proactive issue
as far as I can tell.
This places me, (and soon you), in the unenviable position of RFI first
contact. We must locate, inform, try and solve, all prior to contact
with the ARRL or the FCC. Given that the state of Oregon has said it
believes that most growers are "exporting" the product to areas where it
is not legal I may be placing myself in the unenviable position of
dealing with an illegal drug dealer when/if I contact the person(s)
involved. I truly dislike this, and it is a crying shame that Amateurs
are placed in that position.
It took about two years here in Oregon for the lights to become a real
pain... In some areas, I find several grow light operations per
block... I suspect they are the small tomato lights sold by the big box
stores to people for growing, for personal use. They all seem to be
driven by a high power Switching Mode Power Supplies...
The ARRL took a lot of time, and documented several instances of Big Box
Stores selling non compliant lighting to homes, (Part 18 vs. Part 15),
and passed this on to the FCC. As far as I know, the FCC did nothing...
Perhaps Ed Hare can comment in more detail on that subject, as I
believe he was involved. The ARRL is doing all it can as far as I see
things, but the problem is completely out of hand here...
I now work DX during the off hours of the lights. They typically run
for 12 to 18 hours a day, depending on where in the growing cycle their
owners are.
Most seem to wipe out 40 meters, 80 Meters, 20 Meters, and in some cases
15... Usually all at once...
As you can tell, I am not happy about this at all... I used to have an
S4 noise level on 40 Meters-- looking at my S meter now, I see, S9 +10
db, from a grow operation two blocks away. This has gone on for five to
ten years, now. At some point, my wife and I will pack up and move to
the country... I contacted the person currently generating my strongest
source of RFI once several years ago, it got better for about a month,
then returned.
Frankly I am a bit worried if he gets turned in, I will find a lit road
flair coming through my front window at 2 AM one morning... This is one
of at least three grow operations all within a mile of me...
In working with some growers I have had great luck, but about 20% of
them could care less... The entire process is now basackwards, as we
are the contact point, with teh grower, which is a horrid position to be
in as far as I am concerned. So, I leave it alone, and operate when the
lights are off, as I suspect a lot of folks are doing.
Good luck...
73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources
On 11/3/21 6:39 AM, Christopher Wawak wrote:
[please keep this topic ONLY to RFI of grow lights, and not politics, your
thoughts on cannabis, your lumbago, or anything like that. I am replacing
"cannabis" with tomato from now on.]
I recently read that NJ's Governor is open to TOMATO home-grow, which
typically involves noisy lights (as I understand it). Tomatoes are recently
legal in New Jersey. Whether growing them at home is ultimately allowed or
not, grow light RFI is coming to NJ neighborhoods. I understand it's pretty
bad!
From folks out west, what can I expect from grow light noise? Wiping out
the entire spectrum, or a few spurs here and there? I live in a moderately
tight suburban neighborhood.
Since we know that it's coming, how can I work with my lawmakers to make
them informed of the impending impact of grow light RFI on the amateur
radio service and other services? Can we teach grow light users and vendors
about RFI-clean installations?
Thank you,
-- Chris KC2IEB
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