Actiontec MI424WR causing ham radio interference

[W3BNR]

I wonder if any other amateur radio operator has experience interference from the wireless/modem/router?

For me the problem is on 147.21MHz (our local repeater output).  On my station rig with the antenna on the roof top, I can

squelch out the interference with the squelch at maximum.  On my HTs (mutiple) I'm unable to squelch the interference until I'm about 50 feet away from the house.

I have called Verizon Fios tech support and they cannot find any other reports of this type interference.    If I can find a friend using FiOS with the Actiontec modem, I'll see what happens at their location with an HT, but so far they all have a different modem. 

[i_like_turtles]

lol, i heard this was possible before, but never encountered anyone that had it happen to them lol

wifi is pretty simple radio technology uses a similar bandwidth as some other simple radio technologies ....

try just changing the channel on the router

Message Edited by i_like_turtles on 07-20-2009 05:08 PM

[W3BNR]

That doesn't seem to be the problem.  Wireless portion is turned off so there should be no sending/receiving on channel 11 or any other channel.

[jmw1950]

Are you sure the signal source is the router? Since the router is intended for residential use, I believe it needs to be a class 'B' device, so it isn't permitted to radiated much energy in licensed spectrum.

So the first priority is to find out which device is radiating the energy, if it is the Actiontec, it is time to contact Actiontec and the FCC.

There are many other devices that could be radiating, and the first priority is to figure out which one. Display devices are notorious, and 141.7 could  be the pixel rate on a display device.

Once you are sure where it is coming from, it will be much easier to figure out what to do about it.

[W3BNR]

Yep, when the power to the Actiontec is 'off' the interference is gone.  Also 'direction finding antenna' also physically points to the modem.  I suspect some switching circuit internal to the modem is the problem.

[W3BNR]

Don't know for sure if the Actiontec needs a Part 15 sticker on it or not, but it doesn't have one.

I have furnished this information to the FCC and received a responce that they would check into it, but have never received any other information from them.

Here is a copy of e-mail sent to the FCC on 9/27/08:

To:  bette.taube@fcc.gov
Subject: FCC ID LNQ802MRG
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

The above (FCC ID LNQ802MRG) issued to an ActionTec Wireless Modem type MI424-WR which was sent to me by Verizon Communications for use with their Fiber Optics internet system has no identification except Made inChina.  It would appear that it is in violation of Section 15 regarding incidental radiation affecting other services.  Since installing this modem I am experiencing a raspy buzz on the frequency of 147.21MHz (which is our local amateur radio repeater's output frequency).  It can be silenced by increasing the squelch on my receivers (both home station and handy talkie).

I guess my question would be:  Has this modem been certified under Part 15 of the FCC Rules & Regulations?  And if so, what action should I take in the way of documentation and where should the complaint be directed (FCC, ActionTec, or Verizon Communications)?

Thank you.

--
Ed, W3BNR

and their response:

Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:39:55 -0400
From: "Raymond Laforge" <Raymond.Laforge@fcc.gov>
Subject: FCC ID LNQ802MRG
To: <ed.naratil@verizon.net>



This is a valid FCC Id for a wireless LAN device approved under Section 15.247.Our rules prohibit interference of this unlicensed device to licensed radio services such as the Amateur Radio Service.   We will investigate the matter and ask the grantee to correct his units to avoid the interference caused.


Raymond LaForge
Chief
FCC OET Auditing and Compliance Branch