Part 15 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations regulates low power, unlicensed devices that can cause interference on the ham bands. Those myriad devices that emit RF energy at a low power level can cause big headaches for us hams. Let’s dig a little deeper.
You probably have several Part 15 devices in your home or office. Example include baby monitors, radio controlled toys, wireless thermometer sensors, wireless computer peripheral devices, and about a gazillion other things these days. Just look closely at the information tag on a device and you’ll be able to see if it is an emitter of RF under Part 15 provisions, and usually be able to see the frequencies emitted. Part 15 devices share frequencies with those allocated to other licensed radio services, including our Amateur Radio Service.
In theory, those Part 15 devices output such low powered signals that they will not interfere with the licensed radio services using the same frequencies. Nice in theory, but as Yogi Berra told us:
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.
While most folks will never notice the small transmissions of these devices, they CAN interfere with some ham radio operations due to the highly sensitive radio gear we use. A television or stereo is not apt to be disrupted by these weak signals, but they can be much stronger than those the ham typically seeks to receive from the other side of the planet, or even those from a distant repeater.
So, what if you ascertain that a Part 15 device is causing you receptive grief? If it is yours, turn it off, or better yet, use a hammer on it. Several blows, just to be sure. If it is a neighbor’s device and it is causing harmful interference, the operator of the Part 15 device (your neighbor) is responsible for ending the interference, usually by not using the device any more. Good will and a friendly disposition can go a long way when informing neighbors they are violating FCC rules and have to stop. Good luck.
Just for good measure, harmful interference 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 (the rules).
With Part 15 device interference to your ham signal reception, you are operating in accordance with FCC regulations per the last clause of the definition above. Further, the Part 15 device is likely "seriously degrading" or "repeatedly interrupting" your legal radio communications. As such, it is incumbent upon the Part 15 owner to alleviate the interference, albeit with a little help from the friendly, neighborly ham.
-- Stu WØSTU
