USCG Safety Alert: LED Lamps Causing RFI

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jimh
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USCG Safety Alert: LED Lamps Causing RFI

Postby jimh » Sat Sep 01, 2018 12:00 pm

The United States Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Analysis is distributing an informational safety alert developed by the USCG Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Policy Division warning mariners about degraded radio receiver sensitivity due to the generation of radio-frequency interference from lamps using light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. For details download and read the actual alert document from the hyperlink below

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/Alerts/1318.pdf?ver=2018-08-16-091109-630

The investigation by the USCG found that interference from LED lamps has created unsafe conditions in several instances due to severe impairment of a vessel’s radio communication. Reception of radiotelephone, AIS, and DSC transmissions on affected vessels was reduced and contributed to the creation of potentially unsafe situations.

The informational alert describes a simple method to test radio receivers for desensitization by LED lamps. Mariners who conduct the testing and find LED lamps are causing interference are invited to contact the USCG with their findings.

Questions for the USCG may be sent by email to

HQS-PF-fldr-CGF-INV@uscg.mil.