June 24, 2004

(Deleted)
(Deleted)
Friendswood, TX 77546

RE: Warning Notice--Radio Frequency Interference
Case #EB-2004-2568

Dear Mr. (deleted):

On May 26, 2004, the Commission's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau notified you that it had received complaints that battery chargers at your residence were causing harmful radio interference to an operator in the Amateur Radio Service. The complainant is:

(deleted)
(deleted)
Friendswood, TX 77546

The May 26, 2004, letter notified you that the FCC has the responsibility to require that such problems be rectified within a reasonable time if the interference is caused by faulty consumer equipment. Texas-New Mexico Power Company, your power provider, has verified that the interference is coming from your residence.

The May 26, 2004, letter further notified you that this problem, if unresolved, would be a violation of FCC rules and could result in a monetary forfeiture (fine) for each occurrence. The letter encouraged the parties involved to voluntarily resolve this matter without FCC intervention. The letter stated that if it became necessary for the Commission to facilitate a resolution, the Commission would investigate possible rules violations and address appropriate remedies, including monetary forfeiture.

You were further advised to inform the complainant and the Commission as to what steps you were taking to resolve the problem. The May 26, 2004, letter was sent regular mail and certified mail, but the certified letter was returned to us "unclaimed". We have enclosed a copy for your convenience. The harmful interference remains unresolved. Furthermore, you have responded to neither Mr. (deleted) nor the Commission within the specified period of time.

In order to avoid possible enforcement action, it now is imperative that you advise this office by July 15, 2004, of what action you have taken, or intend to take, to correct the radio interference.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact me at 717-338-2502. There are several simple and inexpensive steps that can be taken to eliminate interference from battery chargers, and we would be glad to send them to you if needed. In fact, Mr. (deleted) has provided at his own expense, and installed for you, simple devices known as "toroid cores" that are commonly used to eliminate interference from all kinds of electrical devices, including computers, motors and electric fences and battery charging systems. During the brief time that the devices were on the power cords of the chargers, the interference was totally eliminated. Furthermore, Mr. (deleted) ordered at his own expense a commercial filtering device and offered that to you, but you apparently refused.

You apparently discarded the toroid devices, tossing them in Mr. (deleted) yard. The devices were simple and non-intrusive, and we can envision no reason whatsoever for you not to continue using them, other than a desire to be uncooperative. We will request enforcement action from the FCC District office serving your area if you do not respond by July 15, 2004.

Enclosure: 3 pages--letter dated May 26, 2004

CC: FCC South Central Regional Director