Electrical interference on radio source found to be an outlet.

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Dispatrick

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For many years I've been trying to track down the source of interference in my home that causes noise in the lower vhf band on my scanner. By absolute luck l found it to be another outlet in the same room as I have my radio (not the same one my radio is plugged in to). When I plug something in to the outlet it stops, and when I unplug it starts. What could be the cause of this? I immediately replaced the outlet fearing a bad unit, same conditions exist, but did note there is no grounding wire, just the hot and white. Any suggestions to a fix? Thank you!
 

tvengr

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Check what is plugged into other outlets on the same circuit. You may have a radio, TV, computer, or other appliance that is radiating a signal back into the power line and the line can be acting as an antenna. I suspect if you turn off the breaker on that circuit, the interference will stop. If you find the source of the interference, you can get power line filters that plug into an outlet and plug the offending appliance into the filter.
 

tvengr

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A switching power supply can generate a large number of harmonics which can cover a wide frequency range. The "wall wart" supplies that plug directly into an outlet often are switching supplies. Make sure that you unplug the power supply, not just turn off the equipment. Some circuits in appliances may be active even when turned off. Make sure that you unplug everything from the outlets.
 

AC9BX

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What tvengr says. Since you replaced the outlet you have likely eliminated possible arcing there. However, there could be arcing somewhere else.
You could switch off the breaker for that circuit, listen for interference. If it's still there you know it's in the wiring coming from a wiring fault or something else somewhere else, have to look further. If it's gone you know it's on that circuit. See what else is off. Now you know where to start looking. Unplug everything on that circuit, turn power back on. Now, listen for that interference. Some of these interference sources are very loud, sending RF all over the place, down the street. You may need to search all over the house, turn off circuits one at a time listening for the trouble. Begin plugging things back in. It's tedious but that's how you find it, a lot of trial and error. Nearly everything today has a switch mode power supply in it, battery chargers, radios, TVs, washing machines, furnaces, LED lamps, computers, coffee makers, ........... and poorly filtered ones (which are common) can create a great deal of radio noise. Occasionally it comes in from outside but most often it's in our own home.
 

RFI-EMI-GUY

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The fact you plugged something in snd it stops is interesting. Can you plug in just anything and It will stop? A lamp? Lamp on or off does it stop? That outlet is probably fed by others on the same circuit and you might have a loose wire or back stabbed (not screwed, stuck in a hole) wire, a bad practice, that coukd be making intermittent connection. Your wires are like a big antenna so noise created at any outlet will radiate elsewhere and plugging something in with a load might stop the arcing. Otherwise plugging additional wire might change the resonance of the wiring,
 

Kfred

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my microwave display generates rf into the vhf high band, I have an outdoor security camera that sends video on RG-6 cable that did the same thing. Since there is no ground wire there are no gfci protection circuits to generate noise. Some LED lights can generate RF noise but it is usually on HF frequencies. Start unplugging things and see if the noise disappears. kfred.
 

RFI-EMI-GUY

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I happened to be at the local Home Depot today to buy a 10 pack of Levitton Decora outlets ($1.90 each in bulk) for my home remodeling project (15 long years).

I noticed that there are Decora outlets with USB sockets being sold. Being as the switching power supplies in these gadgets will make noise that will be radiated all over the place with the Romex in the wall and lamp cords plugged into them, they will be the new menace in the neighborhood.
 

spongella

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Interesting about those Decora sockets, have to keep that in mind, thanks RFI-EMI-GUY. One of the new trends in kitchens is the use of under-the-cabinet plug molds that have options for USB sockets among other things. A great convenience, yes, but it may cause RFI.

My XYL recently got a new cell phone and the USB charger wipes out my AM broadcast band reception, even if the phone is not connected. It's the worst offender so far.
 
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My Baofeng UV-5R charging cradle makes so much noise when flashing that I can hear it on my computer speakers. :)
 

a417

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Those things are never allowed in my house.

1) always on.
2) PITA to replace when they go bad (the principle of the matter, not the act. wife/kids can just throw out non-working one, plug in new wall adaptor, whereas I have to shut off a breaker and pull tools).
3) SMPS in them are RFI hash central.
4) not worth the extra $20/outlet for the "convenience"
5) not very generator tolerant I've found.

My Baofeng UV-5R charging cradle makes so much noise when flashing that I can hear it on my computer speakers. :)
cheap chinese junk causing RFI, say it ain't so! :)
 
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