Strange interference????

[aristotle73]

It is 4:38am right now. However, for the past hour I have been picking up some strange interference. The signal is broken and the scanner picks it up at random times during the communications. However, the intereference is strong enough to cause weird noise on all frequencies between 30-170 and can be heard using FM in the 168-169MHz range. However, turn the squelch all the way down and switch my Pro-95 to AM and I can hear the signal from 160MHz +/- 10MHz....if not more. I only pick up bits and pieces of the signal--which is why I got concerned in the first place. For example, I heard a small bit of voice say "President Bush" and then a little later "was killed" and then a little later "Secret Service" and then a little later "Secretary of Intelligence". I did hear a tune and then a voice saying "BBC World Service". Is this skip? Is anyone else picking this up in the Frederick area? I am paranoid as it is and this only makes it worse... The voices are a bit muffled and scratchy so it is hard to understand what is being said. It's probably nothing but it is most definitely strange. Any information or others that are picking this up that post would be greatly appreciated Right now I am getting bits and pieces of something about the irish and somebody talking about websites and they mentioned the number 209 or something....must keep listening.

 

[ka3jjz]

It is 4:38am right now. However, for the past hour I have been picking up some strange interference. The signal is broken and the scanner picks it up at random times during the communications. However, the intereference is strong enough to cause weird noise on all frequencies between 30-170 and can be heard using FM in the 168-169MHz range. However, turn the squelch all the way down and switch my Pro-95 to AM and I can hear the signal from 160MHz +/- 10MHz....if not more. I only pick up bits and pieces of the signal--which is why I got concerned in the first place. For example, I heard a small bit of voice say "President Bush" and then a little later "was killed" and then a little later "Secret Service" and then a little later "Secretary of Intelligence". I did hear a tune and then a voice saying "BBC World Service". Is this skip? Is anyone else picking this up in the Frederick area? I am paranoid as it is and this only makes it worse... The voices are a bit muffled and scratchy so it is hard to understand what is being said. It's probably nothing but it is most definitely strange. Any information or others that are picking this up that post would be greatly appreciated Right now I am getting bits and pieces of something about the irish and somebody talking about websites and they mentioned the number 209 or something....must keep listening.

My best guess would be that you're getting some mixing from a local oscillator in the radio (although I don't quite understand how - it should be filtered out). It sounds like the BBC (a station on HF) is getting in there; I suspect something faulty. This should never happen; unless you have a high gain antenna on the 95 or an amplified whip? Some wierd stuff can happen when there's too much gain at the antenna

73s Mike

 

[JamesO]

Sounds likely to be Cable TV leakage?? If you can take your handheld for a walk and see if you can find the source or if the signal drops out, then maybe you can determine if the problem is VERY local.

Do you have CATV service in your house? Is CATV in your neighborhood?

Only other thing I can think is some of the UHF TV channels broadcast BBC World progamming at times, however, I doubt they would be broadcasting it at that early time of the morning.

Good luck.

JamesO

 

[ka3jjz]

Sounds likely to be Cable TV leakage?? If you can take your handheld for a walk and see if you can find the source or if the signal drops out, then maybe you can determine if the problem is VERY local.

Do you have CATV service in your house? Is CATV in your neighborhood?

Only other thing I can think is some of the UHF TV channels broadcast BBC World progamming at times, however, I doubt they would be broadcasting it at that early time of the morning.

Good luck.

JamesO

Good thought, James. I didn't think of that; BBC programming is indeed rebroadcast on Maryland Public TV at times, and it might also be on a cable service as a local or FM feed. Leakage is a real possibility.

73s Mike

 

[aristotle73]

I just have the cable broadband service. No cable Television though. I did try walking around to locate the signal but it was the same. Broken up signal with only little bits of the signal being picked up. I am still using the stock whip antenna so I doubt that the antenna is the culprit.

 

[n4voxgill]

it could also be a pirate radio station set it near you. they broadcast all kinds of weird stuff.

 

[ka3jjz]

I just have the cable broadband service. No cable Television though. I did try walking around to locate the signal but it was the same. Broken up signal with only little bits of the signal being picked up. I am still using the stock whip antenna so I doubt that the antenna is the culprit.

A pirate? Very unlikely. It's much more likely you're getting a mix product of some kind from a FM station or the Frederick MPT tower. Some FM stations are known to pull international broadcasters like the BBC off the satellite feeds during certain times of the day. I don't know of any stations in your area that do this; a quick spin of the FM dial might turn that up while you're getting the interference. I would also check the various public TV outlets up your way.

An interesting puzzle....73s Mike