It is your neighbor's sub-par electronics that are not properly filtered/insulated. But no one wants to hear that they need to purchase a new audio-visual system so a neighbor can play with amateur radio ... (grin)
This is one of our greatest "public relations" problems with the hobby: Educating non-hams as to what we are doing, why it might cause interference in their setups, and why we like ugly antennas ...
First - 50W for '50 and '27 is ridiculously high power. You are crippling yourself with sub-par antennas for working the LEOs. I mean, a fifteen dollar tape measure beam and a single Watt gets the job done.
If you insist upon this inefficient setup, then you have a couple choices ...
1. Do not operate when your neighbor may be watching TV.
2. Move your car a couple blocks away, if your neighbor may be watching TV.
3. And this is the most exciting alternative: Invite your neighbors over for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate - about 15 minutes before a pass of '50 or '27. Show them your setup. Show them a couple ham magazines. Tell them about amateur radio in your community, and how your local municipality has included amateur radio in the area's emergency plans. Gently educate them to the fact that when an emergency hits the region, it is ham radio that will be assisting the authorities as things get back to normal. THEN, take 'em out to your car, and start working the satellite. "And about 600 miles away is a little cube this big (hold your hands out about 25cm wide) and listen - we're going to talk THROUGH IT!"
Do not laugh - this tactic has worked for me, and many others. Try it - before the relationship with your neighbor deteriorates any further.
Clint Bradford http://www.k6lcs.com 909-241-7666
At 04:55 PM 12/7/2011, Clint Bradford wrote:
It is your neighbor's sub-par electronics that are not properly filtered/insulated. But no one wants to hear that they need to purchase a new audio-visual system so a neighbor can play with amateur radio ... (grin)
This is one of our greatest "public relations" problems with the hobby: Educating non-hams as to what we are doing, why it might cause interference in their setups, and why we like ugly antennas ...
First - 50W for '50 and '27 is ridiculously high power. You are crippling yourself with sub-par antennas for working the LEOs. I mean, a fifteen dollar tape measure beam and a single Watt gets the job done.
Yep, don't forget that a good antenna and QRP will go a LONG way towards reducing TVI. I've found a few Watts near the horizon down to 200mW at high elevation is all most of the FM birds need, if you have a decent directional antenna. And a directional antenna will also mean less TVI for the neighbour.
73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com
... You are covered by FCC rules already. Tell him to call a TV repair service.
That is the absolute WORST advice a ham can EVER give to a neighbor - if that ham desires harmony in the neighborhood.
Sure, this guy's mobile rig is probably within specs for a ham radio transceiver. And, yes, the neighbor's feedline or spliiter is indeed faulty.
But to tell the offended neighbor, "I have the FCC on MY side, buddy!" is tantamount to declaring war.
But that IS easier - and less time consuming - for a ham to do: Just stick one's nose in the air and cite FCC regs.
But a TRUE amateur radio operator will embrace this opportunity to educate and enlighten.
Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666
I really did not mean it to sound so cold and blunt. but the fact it that it is best to not touch it. Give all the advice you like.
John
At 12:37 PM 12/7/2011, you wrote:
... You are covered by FCC rules already. Tell him to call a TV repair service.
That is the absolute WORST advice a ham can EVER give to a neighbor - if that ham desires harmony in the neighborhood.
Sure, this guy's mobile rig is probably within specs for a ham radio transceiver. And, yes, the neighbor's feedline or spliiter is indeed faulty.
But to tell the offended neighbor, "I have the FCC on MY side, buddy!" is tantamount to declaring war.
But that IS easier - and less time consuming - for a ham to do: Just stick one's nose in the air and cite FCC regs.
But a TRUE amateur radio operator will embrace this opportunity to educate and enlighten.
Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666
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participants (3)
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Clint Bradford -
John Becker -
Tony Langdon