WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

Well, I posted earlier saying I had problems picking up FESA clearly. I also realised that I wasn't hearing any of the rx I normally do (Wilson Security, Karrinyup Security, Surf Lifesaving, Transperth Security e.t.c). Found out what the problem was...

My computer was blocking(???) almost all my frequencies! I moved both the unit and the various antennae away from my computer and VOILA! Crystal clear rx So I suppose this means what my old pa used to say was right, "you'll hear the most when you're in the middle of nowhere". So I suppose next time I should troubleshoot properly and turn everything off

Also found out my CPU fan causes a cartload of interference, as do most of the electrical things in this house.

Powersupply could also be at fault, for causing interference.

Scanners are very sensitive... I quite often use mine while sitting at my computer desk at home (with the 3db "Scantenna") - I think that is what it's called, but it's esentially an upgraded version of the stock standard piles of junk that come in the box when you first buy your scanner

I even notice the difference when plugging in the charger, I get interference from that. Much better signal when running purely from batteries.

bonez

Bonez wrote:I even notice the difference when plugging in the charger, I get interference from that. Much better signal when running purely from batteries

I get the same. The noise floor comes up quite a bit, but it isn't noticeable on strong signals.
I keep the radios and computers on opposite sides of the room. Low loss coax helps a lot.

The gretest joy in my radio listening was when I bought my LCD monitor. You just don't realise how much QRM a standard PC monitor produces. Try listening to HF with an ant any where near an old monitor and frustration will set in.
Sol

SOL wrote:The gretest joy in my radio listening was when I bought my LCD monitor. You just don't realise how much QRM a standard PC monitor produces. Try listening to HF with an ant any where near an old monitor and frustration will set in.
Sol

Not to mention that even if you fix all your gear and put ferrite beads on everything there's always the bloke across the road with the ginormous plasma TV that leaks RFI right through the spectrum

I don't have a huge issue with PC interference even though I have 4 computers in the same room as the HF set. It's good to make sure all the steel panels are secured properly and ditch any of those fancy cases that have perspex windows in them - it's just another way for the RFI to leak out.

Funny you should bump this post today, just turned the scanner back on after a little break, my fileserver (which sits in a solid-steel case made for underground mines) doesn't affect the scanner at all. But as soon as I turn on the desktop machine, all hell breaks loose

Might have to move my gear to the shed I think.

Plasma TV's, certainly are a noise source Also found pool chlorinators to be a shocker, my old one used to generate interference on HF to VHF, had to set it to run at night.
Have a lap top and PC with the radios and don't suffer to badly with interference as a matter of fact my Winradio G303 sits inside my PC and my PCR-1500 plugs into the usb port, no problems.
Two other places I get interference from is from the ASDL router and power line insulators when they get dirty and moist.
In all, I'm getting pretty good reception considering I'm living in a built up area in the burbs.
A number of years ago I lived in Marrangaroo and the then ABC regional transmitters used to be that strong that the RF used to get into the mains and cause inter modulation on my receiver even with a short aerial. Put a monitor and an old computer into the equation and my hobby was destroyed. Gave up listening for many years.

Sol

Hi i use 2 computers in my radio shack over 20 receivers 2 hf transmitters 2 vhf/uhf tramsmitters and get no intereference at all.

Regards Lino.

Slightly off topic, but has anyone know what type of interference, or induced? interference, you might expect off one of those big naval transmitters up near Exmouth?

Reason for asking, I heard some stories about the Belconnen Naval Radio Station and wondering if its an urban myth.

Need to ask the residents that live under the ABC tower. 50kW gets into everything.
I mentioned in a previous post that I used to live in Marrangaoo and had to give up SWL because the RF from the ABC short wave regionals was imposing on to every dam thing. My communications receiver at the time would pick up interference on one band and you could chase it back by just flipping the band selector through the frequencies. Huge ammounts of intermodulation!! Even my portable radio would receive 6WF on 1440kHZ. Just gave up listening untill we moved.
Sitting near tower Zero would be pretty interesting I think. Not sure what wattage the beast would pump out but I bet it would be huge. Most modern receivers have a pretty low sensitivety (by design) below 1.8MHz because the signals in this region can be quite strong. Just imagine a VLF transmitter pumping out huge ammounts of RF
There was a video of someone holding a fluro tube near the tower and it was glowing... Who knows what other effects that could occur?
Bye