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Video Rating: 5 / 5

This is a sample of the HF Interference that I am experiencing at home.

The data noise above 16MHz is caused by a neighbour’s BT Vision Powerline Adapter (Ethernet over Power Line), When this is removed, the data noise above 16MHz becomes silent.

The noise below 16MHz remains at all times, even when the Powerline Adapter is removed and the data noise is silent.

Please help me diagnose where this could be coming from! I have turned my entire house power off at the breaker and have run the radio from a 12v battery and the noise is the same. I have also tried a different radio with the same results.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

19 replies
  1. MrJoshuaUK
    MrJoshuaUK says:

    Hi, Thanks for the comments – The noise above 16MHz has been proven to be
    caused by some BT Vision powerline ethernet adapters – This noise is
    obviously data transmission as you mentioned. I think the noise below 16MHz
    does sound more like arching or some other sort of electrical “noise”.

    Reply
  2. Proghartedo
    Proghartedo says:

    Look for arcing powerline insulators. Go out at night and look at the power
    poles and you will hear and maybe even see one arcing. Thats what it sounds
    like to me. And of course, a bad door bell transformer, or recently
    installed electric fence could do it as well.

    Reply
  3. SmashlytheBassGod
    SmashlytheBassGod says:

    Hi, I would like to sample a part of this for an introduction to a song I’m
    working on. Would this be ok? Ta, Smashley

    Reply
  4. knikk77
    knikk77 says:

    is there a cellular mast around there, it sounds very much like cellphone
    base antenna. Or a wireless phone base station.

    Reply
  5. kit dennis
    kit dennis says:

    I would like to burn this to a DVD for use within our KS4 science lessons –
    communication systems and interference – Can I have your permission? Chris
    – Sci Tech GD7ELF

    Reply
  6. MrJoshuaUK
    MrJoshuaUK says:

    Hi Chris – No problem at all. In fact, instead of upscaling a mushy YouTube
    video to DVD, I could do you a proper copy on DVD with a better explanation
    of what’s happening if you’d like? Email me “josh at tigerstyle . co . uk”
    if you’re interested? Cheers – Josh

    Reply
  7. G7CNF Amateur Radio Station
    G7CNF Amateur Radio Station says:

    BT is recalling ALL the PLT adapters they supplied made by Comtrend, citing
    a safety issue. The recall appeared only three days after the ITU
    Recommendation on PLT interference maximum levels… The adapters BT are
    using to replace them hide the pollution until the adapters are used, Lee
    Talbot of BT Vision Complaints wrote, “While customers are watching
    video-on-demand services the adaptors will be in normal power mode and
    emissions will be the same as the earlier models of Comtrend adaptor.”

    Reply
  8. MrJoshuaUK
    MrJoshuaUK says:

    Hi, I did contact OFCOM and they told me to get my neighbour with the BT
    Vision Powerline adapters to sort those out before they’d look at the noise
    below 16MHz (as we’d proven that the noise above 16MHz was caused by these
    devices). Just a shame my neighbour isn’t helping out by contacting BT to
    get them swapped out 🙁

    Reply
  9. MrJoshuaUK
    MrJoshuaUK says:

    Hi, it’s an Icom IC-7000… It’s a lovely radio, you’d be very happy with
    one (so long as you don’t have local QRM!! 🙂

    Reply
  10. MrJoshuaUK
    MrJoshuaUK says:

    Hey, Of course – Make sure you send me a copy when it’s done please, I’d
    love to hear what it sounds like! Cheers Josh

    Reply
  11. MrJoshuaUK
    MrJoshuaUK says:

    Oh and as an update to my previous posts, I replaced my neighbour’s Switch
    Mode Power Supply (for her TFT monitor) and have had no problems since.

    Reply
  12. Terry B
    Terry B says:

    The QRM below 16Mhz sounds very much like a switched mode PSU somewhere
    close by. I experienced the same thing. A SM/PSU was powering my PCR2500..
    cheap nasty little power supply which when replaced with a better one
    totally eliminated the interference. If not in your house, perhaps a near
    neighbour is using one?

    Reply

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