RF Shielding History: When the FCC Cracked Down on Computers
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- #CB Radio
- #FCC
- #RF Interference
- The PC industry caught the FCC's attention due to electrical noise interference, not the computers themselves.
- CB radios caused significant interference with TV signals, leading to 83% of FCC complaints in 1977.
- The FCC introduced regulations to manage RF interference, requiring computers to meet strict shielding standards.
- Early computers like the Altair 8800 lacked RF shielding, causing them to act as radio transmitters.
- The FCC's regulations led to better-designed electronics, improving technologies like Wi-Fi and laptops.
- A 2019 incident in Ohio showed how homemade gadgets can still cause RF interference issues.