WSJC gone again?

[DeadElvis]

They don't specifically have any hegemony over power companies. They do, however, regulate the radio spectrum and all who cause interference with it.

Power lines are "unintentional radiators." Among other issues, poorly-maintained power poles create radio noise. Such noise is broad-banded and can be quite loud close to the source. Thus, it interferers with licensed users. So, the FCC has jurisdiction to require power companies (or anyone else) to mitigate all "harmful interference."

Harmful Interference is an intentionally broad term, and is defined as "Any emission, radiation or induction that endangers the functioning of a radio navigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunications service operating in accordance with [FCC rules]." See FCC Part 15 Section 15.3(m). That covers a lot of ground. So, when I turn on my amateur radio station and find power line noise that can make communications difficult, that interference is "harmful," and the rules require that the power company fix it.

That's why when I complain, the power company must fix the issue. Even if, as was the case once, it takes a 4-man pole crew three days to find and eliminate the problem. I suspect that didn't come cheap.

DE

 

[flytrap]

maybe I should have said the "station owner/operator should report the noise. Most of the general public is clueless and is going to blame the radio station, or "cheap AM radio" in general. It looks like they would notice the noisy areas on their way to work. but I suspect, most of these AM station owners, don't listen to AM radio. Judging by how many times I've heard stations screwed up for months with a minor issue that never gets fixed. such as dead air, computer glitches, like playing two programs or music at the same time, going silent at the same time every day right after the news etc. Its obvious that they aren't listening to their own radio station.

BTW. the noise was so bad at my location I could barely watch WLBT due to the sparkles and noise on the screen. Going HD seems to have eliminated that problem.

 

[DeadElvis]

BTW. the noise was so bad at my location I could barely watch WLBT due to the sparkles and noise on the screen. Going HD seems to have eliminated that problem.

Back in the day, power utilities spent more time mitigating interference just for that reason -- analog TV stations watched over the air. And, it was particularly annoying to low-band VHF stations like WLBT. Plus, it didn't help WLBT that the tower was/is a bit of a trip from town.

WLBT is now DTV on UHF which will apparently improve the problem for two reasons: 1) UHF is less susceptible to electrical interference and, 2) even if the power line is interfering, it is more difficult to identify it as the culprit without those "sparkles" you reference.

It's a shame that engineers and owners don't complain more. They, frankly, have better standing to complain than does a simple citizen. They'll get quicker response.

DE