Sean & Rob make some good points. Being polite is always required.
Walk away if voices get raised or you see them getting overly upset
while offering to talk about it another time when they can handle it.
It also helps to have a non-involved third-party like an ARRL Tech
Specialist on hand for discussions once they begin again.
I'd like to add this: One place to start with an irate neighbor is to
give them the FCC's phone number. It demonstrates that you have
confidence that you are in the "right" in this situation. It also gives
the neighbor a very clear message if they call the FCC's number:
888-CALL-FCC. The FCC will tell them they don't deal with RFI to
"susceptible" equipment. If the FCC doesn't happen to use the word
"susceptible" be sure YOU DO! Say it over and over again. It has a
very specific meaning placing the problem squarely on the receiving
equipment. Also with the FCC brushing them off (and they will),
sometimes they get the message: You are licensed and not at fault.
Hopefully they won't do what Walt-K2WK's neighbor's did and take you to
court. Walt won in court, but it must've cost a bundle.
Another tact I've used successfully before is to draw a diagram showing
the width of my transmitter's output. (Sometimes I get out one of those
spectrum maps!) Then I draw the diagram showing all of the frequencies
their equipment is capable of receiving. In the case of TV sets &
stereos/HI-FIs, I point out that they are NOT SUPPOSED TO RCV ALL OF
THOSE FREQUENCIES! I also point out where the local police & fire
transmit and that THEY TOO WILL CAUSE THE SAME INTERFERENCE when they
transmit near their "SUSCEPTIBLE EQUIPMENT".
Sometimes I add the economic explanation why filters are not added to
ALL SUSCEPTIBLE equipment: Only a small percentage will ever be lucky
enough to be located near any transmitters. Another thing I have
mentioned is that ALL transmitters (AM, FM, Television,
police-fire-rescue, etc.) will cause the same problem so that's why the
FCC will not make me stop xmitting any more than they'll make all those
other transmitters stop.
In the case of telephones (not cordless--part 15 being printed on
those)-(and this should also apply to DVD players), I point out that the
device is NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO RCV ANY RADIO WAVES. If it does, it must
be defective or operating improperly.
I then point out that I know how to "fix" their equipment by adding
filters similar to what I HAVE ON MY EQUIPMENT". But I let them install
the filter. Sometimes I offer to buy the filters for them; sometimes
not. Depends on how obnoxious the neighbor is. A nice guy gets FREE
FILTERS!
After using these methods if they still wanted me to stop transmitting,
I'd laugh and say "Just try and stop me". At which point I might just
buy an amplifier! But I haven't had to yet.
73,
de ed -K0iL
P.S. One neighbor's daughter (& her friend) told me a few years ago that
she could hear me on the telephone (with a bit of an attitude--teenager
attitude). I explained that telephones are not radios and shouldn't
even rcv radio waves so they must be defective--especially since NONE OF
MINE DO! Her father (divorced-no mom around) has never said a word
about it since I mow his front yard, shovel his walk in winter, and rake
his leaves (since he won't do any of these).
-----Original Message-----
From: Sean Fleming
I have one or more neighbors that have some type of interference.
1. They will always tell youit is your problem not thiers and that you
are the source no matter how much info you show or tell them.
2. They just want it fixed and will do anything less of shooting you to
get rid of your transmission in thier equipment. Meaning that they
don't care about you.
3. Your the culprit always. No matter if you fix it today if they get
something else and have a new problem your the trouble.
4. Finally, you should just stop transmitting.
After rethingking all of the things I could do for my neighbor I have
found out that I go no further than to look the other way and fix my own
troubles. This is do to the fact is that most people dont care about
what you do to fix it they just want your interfence gone. They are not
interested in the technology that they are using nor how it has to plays
into the big picture of nature. Most people also would rather you not
transmit than fix it your a nuicense to thier way of life nad would sue
you if possible.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Atkinson, K5UJ
It's true that it's pretty hard to convince people that their equipment
may
be the real source of their troubles. All they know is there was no
trouble
before; now there is and you are transmitting. The solution to them:
stop
transmitting. That's why it is extremely important to go somewhat on
the
offensive right from the beginning by politely and civilly stating that
your
station meets your country's regulating authority's emission standards
(you
can phrase it in some way that doesn't sound bureaucratized) and offer
to
help them with *their* problem. State in an even tone of voice that not
transmitting is unacceptable; that that's like solving the problem by
having
them not watch tv or their DVD player or whatever. If they flip out and
loose their tempers simply end the conversation by telling them you
won't
deal with them until they can calm down. Establish that as a ground
rule by
always walking away if things become nasty. If they reject your offer
to
help (it happens) then they have a problem but it is no longer yours.
Of
course, it is extremely important to make sure your station is in fact
clean
by rfi proofing your own house. That way you can turn on your tv,
radio,
stereo etc., and invite them to look at the tv while you make a test
transmission so they have proof that you are not the disaster they think
you
are.
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