Radio spectrum problems

Alarm Company’s and other Radio users need to pay attention to FCC rules and regulation to prevent

RF Spectrum Problems and possible fines and penalties

By: Nick Markowitz Jr.

Electrical Contractor and Fire Investigator

Being involved as a Broadcast Engineer for a 5000 Watt AM radio station I received a call

From a fellow Engineer from a very large AM/ FM Broadcasting group who helps me occasionally at my station he was receiving interference with his radio link he uses in the 940-970 MHZ Band, which is FCC  (Federal communications equipment) exclusive to Radio stations

To transmit from his studios to his tower sites.

Knowing I work with Alarm and camera surveillance systems he was curious to know if I knew of any one operating equipment in that area of the spectrum that might be interfering with his station my immediate guess was that there were alarm dealers operating Remote camera surveillance systems illegally in that band. Which we confirmed after analyzing the signals causing the interference. He has started a search and when he finds the individuals and company’s which he will do he will send notice to the FCC and these individuals will have there equipment confiscated and be Sanctioned (Fined) thousands of dollars. Do not think for 1 minute the FCC cannot locate small time offenders and there gear The FCC has just purchased 12

Chevy Tahoe’s at $350.00.00 a piece that has the latest in digital tracking equipment which were showed off at the big broadcasters convention in Harrisburg in October that can nail a suspect with out having to use 2 or more vehicles to triangulate on a signal thanks to a grant from Home Land Security.

And you may ask just what are these dealers doing with unlicensed set ups out there it is because they have no intent on following the FCC rules and there installers who have little or no radio training just do what there told and install the gear. They never test to make sure they are emitting proper signal wave or are at proper strength or take a non- licensed needed piece of equipment and jack up the power.

I see this all the time with alarm dealers and individuals who some how think that small signal will cause no harm when in fact they can cause harm to a wide area of systems including lifesaving medical equipment which can malfunction when hit with RF noise to Fire and Police radios and aircraft to name a few.

The FCC has set very specific rules as to power allowed and how equipment is to be installed tested and operated.

Many low power camera systems operate at 500 millawatts half a watt and can go up to 1 mile in range.  And require no license these systems seldom cause a problem because how they are designed but alarm dealers will jack the signal above 500 millawatts which causes the systems to emit noise outside of there normal 900-910 MHz band

Then there are systems designed above 500 millawatts, which require 1 of 2 licensees.

There are Amateur radio ATV systems which are strictly for amateur Radio use and require a Technician or higher license and can only be used for non fiduciary (Profit) uses

Which dealers get hold of and use for commercial purposes illegally till an amateur operator finds them and gets on their butt about it

 And an FCC site license which is a form required to be filled and the FCC only grants the license when it can be determined the licensed system will not interfere with other systems in the area. Well too many Alarm Company and individuals buy the licensed equipment and never bother to fill out the license registration and go thru frequency coordination. It is the same thing happening with the new FRS  (Family radio Service) radios 500 millawatts you can get with GMR (General Mobile Radio) Channels up to 5 watts aprox 5-7 miles range which requires you to apply for and get a FCC GMR license which costs approx $85.00 and is not to be used for commercial business use but why bother most alarm dealers say FCC will never catch us.

Mean while installers are chatting away using profane language not using Call letters etc and having a good time while interfering with those who have sent for the license and use the radios in the proper manner. And since these radios operate in the 450-460 MHz range some alarm tech gets his jolly’s modifying one out of band and starts interfering with police and fire radios. In fact the 900 MHZ to 8GHZ spectrum in particular is getting more crowded every day as more and more non -licensed Burglar and Fire Alarm, Computer networks, PDA’s telephones, intercoms, baby monitors and other electronic items are coming on to the market so there must be a crack down on those who cause interference to others if all the new technology is to work as designed. I see the problem almost daily with my own station getting interfered with and customers who cannot use wireless networks AM/FM radios in their homes and businesses due to all the interference in the air.

The FCC has done years of research in setting its rules to make sure our radio spectrum operates efficiently and illegally operating alarm dealers and individuals must be turned in and stopped before a crisis gets out of hand If you know of companies and individuals operating radio equipment illegally turn them in you will be doing yourself and all those who enjoy and use the radio spectrum a big favor. If you want to go to www.fcc.gov

And fill out the complaint form.