Re: LIPD interference to VK3RSE repeater

Dear Sir,
 As a regular user of Melbourne’s VK3RSE repeater and a holder of a current amateur radio license I wish to complain about item 17 of the schedule "Low Interference Potential Devices" (LIPD).

On the 15th March 1999, a group of amateur radio operators set out to find the source of a signal that had jammed our repeater for several hours. The interference was being caused by a pair of cordless headphones located more than ½km away which were operating as per the LIPD schedule. To our relief, the owner of the offending transmitter was quite apologetic and was interested in assisting us in resolving the problem. He had absolutely no idea that the device was capable of causing so much interference.

I am not convinced that we are always going to be this lucky when interfering sources such as this are discovered. Problems such as these are likely to increase dramatically because of the LIPD legislation. I also feel that this legislation is also likely to create otherwise avoidable resentment between some members of the community.

There are also a number of other similar devices becoming available under the LIPD legislation which have the ability to seriously affect the operation of more than 100 listed 70cm voice repeaters throughout Australia. All of these repeaters are located in high locations and are equipped with very sensitive receivers. Amateur radio operators have proven that devices using the power levels and frequencies outlined in item 17 are quite capable of causing interference over line of sight distances of more than 50 kilometres. Devices operating under item 17 of the current LIPD schedule therefore cannot be in any way regarded as having low interference potential.

As a paying user of this band I demand that the legislation which allows the use of these devices in the 70cm amateur band be immediately revoked and that the companies which are marketing devices under item 17 of the LIPD schedule be required to remove them immediately from public sale.

Sincerely,
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