Clubhouse and RV Parking Security Camera System RFI
The community was never given an opportunity to discuss the acquisition and installation of a security camera system. This board took it upon themselves to purchase and install the system after (apparently) some fuel was siphoned from a few vehicles in the RV parking area, after someone left the gate open.
As a result, the community is on the hook for a more than (as widely reported) $20K+ camera system that doesn’t work and would never be appropriate for this community and application, even if it did work.
If the board had cared enough to put a little effort into engaging the community, we may have been able to “crowd source” a good solution that would have worked well for us. This community has a lot of experience and knowledge, and I’m not sure why we aren’t interested in tapping that vast knowledge base.
If you look at the installation of the camera system:
It is just metal pipe conduit fastened to a chain link fence and to the side of the clubhouse. The simplest and least labor intensive approach was employed in installing this system, contributing significantly to the problems, while we paid a high price.
The problem with the camera system is it emits powerful radio frequency interference (RFI). That’s not even considering it is ridiculously expensive and inappropriate for our needs.
Radio frequency interference (RFI) is electromagnetic interference (EMI) that occurs when unwanted radio frequency signals disrupt electronic devices or radio communication systems. This interference can affect the quality of your Wi-Fi network, the ability to receive broadcast TV and radio, and basically anything wireless, including cellular phones.
I advised Russ that our phones aren’t working reliably for text messages and incoming and outgoing calls. In a message, I told Russ:
“My wife and I discussed today many of the times we’ve had problems making and receiving phone calls in our home. We are very disturbed knowing that if we had to call for emergency services, we may not have been able to. At this moment, we may still not be able to. That’s a big problem.”
I offered my help and tools to help find and solve this problem. I even offered to donate replacement hardware if that was determined to be the problem. Regardless, nothing seemed to motivate Russ to lift a finger until I threatened to file an FCC complaint. The RFI is still a problem to this day. Russ has put more effort into avoiding me, and avoiding the problem, then it would have ever taken to mitigate and begin to solve it.
The RFI displayed on a spectrum scope.
How the spectrum should normally look.
The entire camera system comprises two identical sections, or “endpoints.” One endpoint is a power-over-ethernet networked system covering the RV parking lot, and the other mostly identical system covers the clubhouse/pool area. The systems are connected with dish antennas mounted to the RV parking fence and clubhouse. I’m dubious of the decision to go with a point-to-point microwave link to go that short distance.
Both the power-over-ethernet networking equipment and the power supply components generate RFI, which is propagated by the metal conduits and chain-link fence, which act as giant and remarkably efficient antennas.
I believe most of the emissions emanate from the DC-DC buck conversion circuit supplying power to the networking switches and cameras while providing redundant battery backup. The RF travels through the unshielded ethernet cables and couples to the metal pipe conduit, creating a high-voltage standing wave on the conduit and, in the case of RV Parking, the entire chain-link fence, resulting in very powerful RFI traveling a far distance.
In addition, the Ubiquity branded power-over-ethernet (PoE) switches are notoriously noisy. I overlaid an image of the camera system RFI with an example image of RFI someone posted on an internet forum:
This camera system generates two distinct and powerful RFI signatures from both camera system endpoints. I knew this interference existed for quite some time, but as it was always so powerful and so unrelenting, I always thought it was the result of faulty SMUD equipment. So much so I have been working with a SMUD engineer for a few years now, trying to find and solve the problem.
In fact, the problem is multiple emissions from two separate endpoints of the same PoE/microwave link/camera system.
The power supply/redundant power components and the PoE switch (likely Ubiquity brand) generate the RFI at both endpoints. This RFI is propagated into the universe by the long length of the effective antennas, the ethernet cable conduit/chain-link fence, 10 feet elevated, without a proper low-impedance RF path to ground.
RF works with the property of reciprocity. If RF energy is leaking out, RF energy can get in. I suspect these cameras have always been unreliable.
These are also clearly unlawful levels of radiated emissions. Since the power supply components are significantly responsible for the RFI, while any components of this camera system are connected to power, they are radiating high levels of harmful emissions.
This RFI is being generated by an inadvertent transmitter. It is not designed to radiate in a controlled and engineered way, so it generates broad-banded interference all over the spectrum, while changing and moving around the spectrum. It can easily compromise the critical two-way radio communications of law enforcement and other first responders in this vicinity, including the neighborhoods behind and to the sides of the clubhouse.
The frequencies also affect aeronautical HF, and military HF, and a good portion of the RFI energy is directed straight up.
I have discussed this with what I believed to be other affected parties, other residents of Edgewood, and the outlying community. I have found people who suffered problems on Kingswood Dr., Cypress Point Ln., and Doral Ct. Some of these people are prepared to file FCC complaints.
In my researched opinion, this camera system isn’t viable for this community (it was the wrong choice to begin with). It was improperly installed using inadequate methods and components. The fix for this system would be far too costly to implement. It would entail tearing down the entire installation, digging trenches, driving multiple 8-foot grounding rods, and providing tuned low-impedance paths to ground. It would likely include replacing system components, like power supplies and networking hardware, with less-emissive equipment.
This would likely require the consulting services of an electrical engineer who specializes in EMC (electromagnetic compatibility). Those individuals are rare and would likely need to be flown in.
If or when the FCC receives a complaint, the association must engage with the attorney. That attorney would likely need to consult with another attorney with experience dealing with the FCC. The association will then have two options: hire the electrical engineer and spend a lot of money trying to make this debacle work, or shut it down and tear it down. Unchecked, I’m not sure which option Russ would choose.
I understand the desire for security, as I have several Wi-Fi cameras around my home. We just need to be smart about it.
Nobody in the community would have encouraged the decision to install this system. In fact, from what I understand, those few association members who knew about it before its purchase were shoved aside when attempting to discuss it at the one meeting in which there was any opportunity.
We could have acquired a system that worked for our needs for several hundred dollars. A few thousand dollars would have bought us a very nice system. I wish I could see back in time at how this system was sold to this board.
The RV parking/tennis court part of the system has been powered down since March/April. I can’t get information about the system around the clubhouse. I believe it is at least connected to AC power, if not powered on entirely. RFI continues to be a problem in that area, though the coverage has shifted. Russ has never agreed to meet with me regarding this or any other issue. Emails are not returned.
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*RFI can be caused by simple devices that worked fine in the lab but when deployed cause interference with wireless networks we all depend on every day; Public Safety Dispatch radio communications sometimes can’t be effectively used because of interference such as receiver saturation which garbles the communications.
*RFI, under the right conditions, can disrupt virtually any electrical or electronically controlled device, with potentially harmful or even disastrous results.
*The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigates and takes enforcement action against radio frequency interference (RFI) that violates the Communications Act, Commission rules, or station authorization. The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) routes complaints within its jurisdiction to the appropriate field office for investigation.
*The FCC’s enforcement actions include: monetary forfeiture, seizure of equipment, injunctive relief, and criminal arrest and/or fine.
