[10m] HTX-10 and speed limit sign lights causing noise

[KD7JYK]

Welcome to the world of radio!  Anything electrical/electronic will cause
interference to your receiver.  My washing machine motor sends out bursts of
noise in several hundred KHz wide "bands" throughout HF.  LEDs which are
used in most traffic signals and traffic/pedestrian control signs are some
of the worst offenders though not often noticed as the RF noise is mostly
white noise and will just increase the hiss in your receiver.  In 1987 I
first learned of this when on 11m, a friend of mine complained of what
appeared to be a data signal whenever we were together.  I had an flashing
LED in my truck that could be heard nearly a block away, so whenever we were
convoying or he would drop by, he would hear it.  The neon walk/don't walk
signs can be hear for several hundred feet too.  Set your 10m rig to a quiet
frequency, set it to AM and just drive around town and see what you here!
You will find your radio near useless in this mode!

Kurt

---
Ross Technologies Signals Intelligence Division
Rosetta Proving Grounds
----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff, Julie, Annabelle, and Nicholas <jjanna@cablespeed.com>
To: <10m@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 04:00
Subject: [10m] HTX-10 and speed limit sign lights causing noise


> Hello, all.  As I was driving around yesterday with my HTX-10, I came upon
> one of those speed limit warning signs.  It has 2 flashing yellow lights
> that activate when a vehicle comes close, over a 25 MPH sign.  The sign is
> here because the road goes from 40 to 25 very quickly.  The sign also has
> what I think are solar panels on top to keep the battery/ies
> recharged.  Anyway, as I approach the sign, the yellow lights start to
> flash, and at the same time, in sync with the alternating flashing yellow
> lights, I get loud bursts of static on the HTX-10!  It even continued for
a
> few seconds after I passed the sign.  I've never had any bursts of static
> or noise like this with any other traffic/signal/warning lights.  I
haven't
> come across any railroad crossings yet though, so I don't know if the
> alternating flashing lights there would cause the same thing.  Anyone got
> any ideas?
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> Jeff, KF4KWO
>
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