Radio Interference problems

Possible?  Yes,  but unlikely.  Computers are manufactured to comply with an FCC specification to limit RFI produced naturally when you run microprocessors at several hundred MHz and up.  This same technique works the other way to limit how much energy is coupled into the computer from an external source.  I know fellow amateurs who use a computer to provide digital modulations to their stations.  Many are running the full legal power limit.  From your signature I see you must be familiar with the construction of a typical amateur station, so you are aware that good engineering practice is generally followed in the setup.  Your neighbor was likely unaware of the necessity for providing proper grounding and shielding, so the signal from his setup may be a lot greater than it would otherwise be.  Even so, unless his amplifier is many times the legal power for an amateur station your problems probably have another source.

Naturally, my opinion may change if you tell me that you have audio or other lengthy wires attached to your computer!

Good luck in the resolution to your troubles.

I can't imagine how this could be causing your problems since I would think there are probably FCC rules about this stuff. The fact that this radio amplifier is illegal and thus may not comply make me wonder though. Still, unless your keyboard and mouse are wireless, the amplifier shouldn't be causing these problems. If they are wireless, that changes things a lot since the radio specturm is limited and many devices share the same frequency. This is why, for example, routers and cordless phones tend to have interference problems with things like microwaves, etc.

Licensed Amateur radio operators know how to set up an amplified base station to to keep stray RF at a minimum. A unlicensed cb radio operator using a modified 10 meter amplifier to transmit within 27MHz can cause severe RF interference. If it is bad enough to affect your computer like you say, you should also be having problems with your telephones and TV reception. If your neighbor is close enough and running enough power, it can interfere with wireless and sometimes wired electronics. If he refuses to stop using the amp you might try moving the location of the computer to a different room or a different section of the room it is in now. The FCC will shut this guy down but you might want to try the local police first. Maybe they can talk him into cleaning up his act. It would be much easier and quicker than going through the FCC red tape.

Licensed Amateur radio operators know how to set up an amplified base station to to keep stray RF at a minimum. A unlicensed cb radio operator using a modified 10 meter amplifier to transmit within 27MHz can cause severe RF interference. If it is bad enough to affect your computer like you say, you should also be having problems with your telephones and TV reception. If your neighbor is close enough and running enough power, it can interfere with wireless and sometimes wired electronics. If he refuses to stop using the amp you might try moving the location of the computer to a different room or a different section of the room it is in now.

I also submitted a complaint to my local cable company, to see if it could be leaking thru the cable box at the corner of my yard. I have not heard from them, so I am unaware if they ahve acted on this yet, or not.

A quick call to the FCC will take care of the illegal amplifier problem.
When they fine him and take his radio away he will learn better than to get nasty.

Dimming lights?  Having known many of these folks I'm sure he is exaggerating.  Drawing enough current to drop the voltage on the outside power lines would mean he is generating in the neighborhood of 100 KW of RF.  That would certainly be enough to mess up your computer, but also enough to get him shut down in a hurry.

So far as your wireless equipment, the CB is far enough out of band that it would be difficult for it to cause interference.  All of it, including wireless routers, works at 2.4 GHz, however, so it is not impossible to cause interference to yourself.  This kind of interference is more likely to cause strange entries from the keyboard or keep the mouse from moving the cursor to the right spot.  One thing that will help point to your neighbor as the interference source is to connect the time he is on the air with the troubles you are having.  If your troubles only happen when he is transmitting that pretty well ties them to his operation.

Again, good luck on the resolution of your troubles.  I'm sure this fellow is going to find out the hard way about penalties for unlicensed operation.

The FCC, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service, seized radio equipment by court order from 15 unlicensed broadcast stations in the Miami, Florida, metropolitan area. Of the 15 seizures, 13 of those occurred within a five day period, from July 27 through July 31. The confiscated equipment had been used to broadcast illegally in violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 301.

Operators of illegal, unlicensed broadcast stations may be subject to monetary penalties of up to $11,000 per violation, seizure by court order of all radio equipment involved in the operation, or court order enjoining the operator from operating an illegal station. Unlicensed operators could also be subject to criminal fines of up to $100,000 or imprisonment of up to one year, or both, for a first time offense.


The types of equipment seized ranged from homemade transmitting components to professionally manufactured equipment illegally imported from foreign countries. Both the homemade components, and the illegally imported equipment, which is not authorized for use in the United States, have the potential to cause serious interference problems to several types of licensed communications, including vital aviation and other public safety frequencies. The equipment seized includes two 2,000 watt transmitters.

The FCC's Compliance and Information Bureau is concentrating on closing down unlicensed radio stations in a nationwide effort.

Enforcement Bureau contacts: Jane Mago at (202) 418-1100 until November 8, and 418- 7450 beginning November 8; and John Winston at (202) 418-1107.

Office of the Bureau Chief (202) 418-7450
Bureau Chief-David H. Solomon
Deputy Bureau Chief-Jane E. Mago
Deputy Bureau Chief -Bradford M. Berry
Associate Bureau Chief-Richard K. Welch
Assistant Bureau Chief and Senior Advisor for National Defense and Public Safety-Arlan Van Doorn
Assistant Bureau Chief-John R. Winston
Assistant Bureau Chief-Suzanne M. Tetreault

Telecommunications Consumers Division (202) 418-7320
Division Chief-Catherine W. Seidel
Deputy Division Chief-Colleen K. Heitkamp

Market Disputes Resolution Division (202) 418-7330
Division Chief-Glenn Reynolds
Deputy Division Chief-Alexander Starr
Deputy Division Chief-Frank Lamancusa

Technical and Public Safety Division (202) 418-1160
Division Chief-Joseph P. Casey

Investigations and Hearings Division (202) 418-1420
Division Chief-Charles W. Kelley
Deputy Division Chief-Edythe Wise
Deputy Division Chief-Raelynn Tibayan Remy

Regional Directors
Dennis P. Carlton-South Central Region (816) 353-8938
Russell (Joe) Monie, Jr.-Northeast Region (847) 298-5405
Charles W. Craig -Western Region (510) 732-6021

Office of Management and Resources (202) 418-1135
Assistant Bureau Chief-Robert W. Crisman
Deputy Assistant Bureau Chief-Gregory Weiss

I was sitting here about a week ago trying to type a letter. I had to type between his broadcasts. Each time that he keyed up, my keyboard and mouse stopped working.