KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

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ARRL Again Complains to FCC about Illegal Marketing of Electronic Lighting
Ballasts

Posted: 30 Dec 2015 11:26 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kb6nu...m_medium=email




I rarely make political comments on this blog because amateur radio is
mostly apolitical. Issues like this, however, are where amateur radio and
politics intersect. Agencies like the FCC need the resources and the
political backing to take action in cases like this. So, beware of
politicians that are quick to claim that government is the problem and
quick to cut funds for agencies like the FCC. Can you imagine the
telecommunications chaos that wed have without it? DanÂ*Â*

QST de W1AW

ARRL Bulletin 38 ARLB038

From ARRL Headquarters

Newington CT December 29, 2015

To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB038

ARLB038 ARRL Again Complains to FCC about Illegal Marketing of Electronic
Lighting Ballasts

The ARRL has again complained to the FCC to allege illegal marketing of
electronic RF lighting ballasts, operating under Part 18 of the Commissions
rules, on the part of two major retailers. Letters went out this week to
the FCC Enforcement Bureau and its Office of Engineering and Technology
claiming Part 18 marketing regulations violations by Lowes and by Walmart
stores. At issue is the sale of non-consumer RF lighting ballasts to
consumers who, in several instances, were told by store personnel that it
was okay to install these in a residential setting. In addition,
non-consumer and residential-class ballasts are intermixed in store
displays with inadequate signage to direct consumers to the correct choice.
Both letters asked the FCC to investigate and commence enforcement
proceedings with respect to the two stores marketing and retail sale of RF
lighting devices in the US.

ARRL purports to show that the retailer ismarketing and selling to
consumers (by retail sale) non-consumer Part 18 RF lighting devices which
are not intended for residential deployment, to consumers who have
specifically noted their intention to deploy the devices in residential
applications, ARRL Chief Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, said in similar
complaint letters to the Commission on December 28 and December 29. Part 18
emissions limits for consumer devices are far lower than those allowed for
non-consumer devices.

ARRL has received numerous complaints from Amateur Radio operators of
significant noise in the medium (MF) and high frequency (HF) bands between
1.8 MHz and 30 MHz from grow lights and other Part 15 and part 18 RF
lighting devices, Imlay continued. These devices are easily capable of
emitting RF noise sufficient to preclude Amateur Radio MF and HF
communications (and, as well, AM broadcast station reception) throughout
entire communities.

Supporting both complaints are extensive and detailed reports by ARRL
Laboratory EMC Specialist Mike Gruber, W1MG. The reports recount incidents
of actual purchases of Part 18 RF lighting devices intended for commercial
use to consumers who made clear to store personnel that they intended to
use the devices at home. Grubers report includes multiple photographs that
depict in-store displays of the products in question and showing signage
that does not adequately explain which devices may be sold to whom.

The ARRL has asked that all non-consumer devices be removed from retail
sale and marketing at the stores and to track and recall non-consumer
devices already sold to consumers.

In his report, Gruber concluded that retailers should require purchasers of
non-consumer Part 18 RF lighting devices to provide a valid contractors
number. He also advised that the stores improve display signage to make it
clear that non-consumer Part 18 devices may not be used in residential
settings.

Earlier this year, the ARRL sent similar complaint letters to the FCC
regarding the marketing of Part 18 RF lighting devices by The Home Depot.
The League also has complained about specific RF lighting grow light
devices that it has alleged exceed Part 18 emission limits.

NNNN

/EX

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