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FCC Enforcement Activities and Part 15 Devices

Over the past several years, the FCC has been very active in pursuing complaints of harmful interference from unlicensed Part 15 devices. Those cases that involve the Amateur Radio Service are generally addressed cooperatively between the FCC, ARRL, the involved Part 15 device operator and the Amateur Radio operator. The FCC Part 15 regulations are clear that the manufacturers of unlicensed devices must meet the appropriate conducted - or radiated-emissions requirements and that the operators of those devices are responsible for resolving any harmful interference to radio services that might occur from their use.

The following list links to copies of the FCC enforcement letters sent to Part 15 device operators about harmful interference reports:

Date
yy-mm-dd
Type
Location
04-12-24Alarm Cartersville, GA
05-02-10Aquarium LightWaldorf, MD
07-02-12 Air Filter

Gallipolis, OH

04-12-20Battery ChargerWaldorf, MD
04-06-24Battery ChargerFriendswood, TX
04-08-10Battery ChargerFriendswood, TX 77546
04-09-29Battery ChargerFriendswood, TX 77546
08-07-07 Broadcast Station Lubbock, TX
03-06-02Cordless SpeakerphoneVienna, VA
03-06-02Cordless PhoneVienna, VA
07-01-18 Cordless Phone Bethany, OK
06-02-16Digital Audio Devices
(Proposed Forfeiture)
Behringer USA, Inc
05-02-10Electric Blanket
Consent Decree
Phoenix, AZ
03-01-30Electric FenceHobe Sound, FL
03-03-24Electric FenceNew Port Richey FL
03-01-30Electric FenceHobe Sound, FL
03-03-24Electric FenceNew Port Richey FL
03-03-25Electric FenceBoring, OR
03-05-12Electric FenceOdessa, FL
04-02-23Electric FenceBailey, CO
04-06-22Electric FenceOdessa, FL
04-08-10Electric FenceBailey, CO
05-06-22Electric FenceKearneysville, WV
05-09-12Electric FenceMarstons Mills, MA
05-09-22Electric FenceKearneysville, WV
05-11-08Electric FenceConcrete, WA
06-04-18Electric FenceMarstons Mills, MA
06-04-18Electric FenceByron, IL
06-08-28Electric FenceWoodstock, NY
06-10-12Electric FenceWhite Salmon, WA
05-02-07Electronic Key SystemGrand Haven, MI
05-03-29Electronic Key System
(FCC Citation)
Grand Haven, MI
05-12-19Electronic Key SystemGrand Haven, MI
06-08-28Furnace Ignition SystemLebanon, PA
08-06-30 Industrial / Commercial Device (Car Wash) (Citation) Fortuna, CA
04-08-16Industrial/Commercial EquipmentAndrews, TX
04-11-11Industrial/Commercial EquipmentAndrews, TX
06-01-09Industrial/Commercial EquipmentProsser, WA
05-08-05Invisible FenceRandolph, NJ
06-01-20Invisible FenceRandolph, NJ
05-08-24Lighting CircuitsWilloughby, OH
07-11-27 Lighting Device Wind Gap, PA
07-02-23 Lighting Device Wind Gap, PA
03-12-01Pond PumpSouth Jordan, UT
04-02-04Pond PumpSouth Jordan, UT
07-03-01 Pump System Cincinnati, OH
06-05-31Rife/Bare DeviceFairfield, OH
06-04-13Rife/Bare DeviceFairfield, OH
04-12-21Rife/Bare DeviceFairfield, OH
06-08-21Swimming Pool Heater ControllerOrmond Beach, FL
06-10-19Swimming Pool Heater ControllerOrmond Beach, FL
04-07-20TelevisionMattawan, MI
04-11-01TelevisionMattawan, MI
07-09-18 Television Edgwater, FL
05-03-30Television Antenna Preamplifier (Citation)Portland, OR
07-08-01 Unknown Device Eugene, OR
08-02-06 Unknown Device Holmen, WI
04-01-29Unknown Consumer DeviceFolsom, CA
04-10-14Unknown Consumer DeviceOklahoma City, OK
04-12-28Unknown Consumer DeviceWestern Grove, AK
05-03-09Unknown Consumer DeviceLa Jolla, CA
07-01-30Unknown Consumer DeviceJohnson City, TN
06-08-24Video Camera SystemTacoma, WA
06-08-03Water PumpLake City, CO
06-02-24Wireless Camera (Citation)Los Angeles, CA
04-06-28Wireless Microphones (Citation)Salem, OR

NOTE: Issuance by the FCC of a Warning Notice indicates that the FCC has what it believes to be reliable evidence of possible rules infractions and not necessarily that the recipient has violated FCC rules. The FCC has the authority, pursuant to §97.519(d)(2) of the rules to readminister any examination element previously administered by a volunteer examiner. These enforcement letters are representative of recent Advisory Notices, Warning Notices, Notices of Violation and other FCC communications to licensees and others involving possible serious rules violations. Unless otherwise indicated, all letters were signed by FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth. This listing is not a comprehensive record of FCC Amateur enforcement actions. Follow-up correspondence will be published as provided. Address all inquiries regarding this correspondence to FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth, rholling@fcc.gov.

Although the Commission expects and hopes that those responsible for unlicensed Part 15 emitters and related electrical equipment will voluntarily do what the rules require, they have followed up those cases that are not handled appropriately by the involved parties. The first step of this follow-up is generally an inquiry letter to device operator, from the Enforcement Bureau of the FCC. These letters explain the rules and the Commission's expectation that the operator of an unlicensed device must correct the harmful interference in a reasonable time frame.



Page last modified: 11:23 AM, 23 Jul 2008 ET
Page author: tis@arrl.org
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