RF pollution from LED bulbs in Germany

The German Amateur Radio Club (DARC) has issued a press release identifying domestic LED light bulbs as a source of electrical interference

The increasing popularity of these light sources has led to a significant increase in reports of radio traffic disturbance, interruption of radio services and even poor DAB reception. In their opinion, the electrically noisy LED lamps are a result of a bad government policy which simply ignores regulations applicable to EMC and the generation of EMI by electrical equipment.

According to DARC, the recommendations outlined in the regulations governing electromagnetic compatibility have simply been ignored.

Some of the spectrum areas affected include

• Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) 174 - 240 MHz
• Marine VHF 156 - 162.025 MHz
• Amateur Radio 2 metre band 144 - 146 MHz
• Airband 118 - 136.975 MHz
• FM Stereo broadcast 88 - 108 MHz
• Baby monitors 49.30 - 49.89 MHz
• High-frequency services, inc. long range marine & airband, Shortwave broadcasts, Amateur radio allocations, Citizens' Band radio, plus wireless devices operating on 27MHz 3 - 30 MHz

The result is that LED lamps currently on sale and in use generate considerable wideband RF interference.

Full article - https://www.elektormagazine.com/news/led-rumpus

UKQRM LED Bulb radio interference page - https://www.ukqrm.org.uk/lighting.php

FCC Tells Apple Turn on iPhone's FM Radio Chip

Recently reelected FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has called on Apple to “step up to the plate” and put American’s safety first by enabling a feature on iPhones.

As America comes to the end a hurricane season that has caused so much disruption and devastation across the Caribbean and the US, Pai has called on Apple to enable FM radio in their handsets to increase the scope of communication available.

Media article - https://www.cnet.com/news/fcc-chairman-calls-on-apple-to-activate-fm-chips-in-iphones/

Radio Ship Navigation Returns to Combat Cyber Threat

Due to the risk of cyber attacks targeting ships' satellite navigation, National Naval Services are delving through history and develop back-up systems with roots in World War Two radio technology.

Ships use GPS (Global Positioning System) and other similar devices that rely on sending and receiving satellite signals, which many experts say are vulnerable to jamming by hackers.

About 90 percent of world trade is transported by sea and the stakes are high in increasingly crowded shipping lanes. Unlike aircraft, ships lack a backup navigation system and if their GPS ceases to function, they risk running aground or colliding with other vessels.

South Korea is developing an alternative system using an earth-based navigation technology known as eLoran, while the United States is planning to follow suit. Britain and Russia have also explored adopting versions of the technology, which works on radio signals.

Media Story - https://www.reuters.com/article/us-shipping-gps-cyber-idUSKBN1AN0HT