TRACKING DOWN RADIO INTERFERENCE



TRACKING DOWN RADIO INTERFERENCE


It's clear that the shortwave and mediumwave radio spectrums are becoming increasingly noisy, making it exceedingly difficult for SWLs and DXers to enjoy our hobby. This was not always the case! 40 years ago, I remember the bands being much quieter.....indeed, I have recordings of shortwave broadcasts where the only noise around was atmospheric, with no evidence of manmade electrical interference at my suburban home. But....those days have long gone, and the only way to reduce your noise level today is to go out into the middle of the forest to tune your radio. Not always a convenient solution!!

But it is possible to reduce the noise levels in your home and surrounding areas by "sniffing out" or hunting down local noise sources. Once the trouble-making noise sources have been identified, then you may be able to turn them off, call local authorities, or negotiate a solution with your neighbours. But, of course, there will be other noise sources over which you don't have any control, and there may be no immediate solution. In those cases, and if you are using external (outdoor) antennas, then placing those antennas as far away as possible from the noise-makers MAY help to reduce the effects of the interference.

At my previous home location, we had cable Internet installed to the house. That horrendous interference put an immediate stop on all radio activities from home, and the only way to do any decent DXing was to "go bush". Here at Mount Evelyn, the noise levels are much lower (Yay!!!) ....but now the Internet is much slower (BOO! That's the downside!). However, I have walked around the house and the neighbourhood with my radio, and have been able to identify ceiling downlights, power adaptors, power supplies and other "nasties" that are all adding to the degradation of the shortwave bands to which I enjoy listening.

Here are two resources that may prove useful in helping you to track down the noisemakers in your listening environment. 

 The first one comes from the American Radio Relay League's (ARRL) "The Doctor Is In" podcast series and is called "Hunting Down Interference". There are some great suggestions offered, which may help locate the sources of noise. Here's the link:  ARRL Podcast - The Doctor Is In

 Secondly, in the July 2016 issue of The Spectrum Monitor, there is an article called "How to Become an EMI Detective" by Mark Haverstock W8MSH, where the author discusses measures he used to pinpoint noise-makers in his home and also techniques used to liaise with local energy authorities to repair noisy power poles in the immediate vicinity of his home. You can buy and download in PDF format the July 2016 issue for just US$3.00. Details at: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/july2016.aspx

 But better still, consider taking out a 12 month subscription for just US$24.00. It's a bargain!! Go to: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com
Good luck with your detective work!!

 73,

 Rob Wagner VK3BVW


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