[Elecraft] Keyboard RF Interference

[GRANT YOUNGMAN]

Can anyone suggest a COMPACT keyboard used with a KX3/PX3 in a “near antenna” portable environment that you have found to be clean of RF hash?

I purchased a small USB keyboard (Gearhead, from Fry’s), and its matrix scanner is generating tons of RF garbage — spreading noise spikes at around 8 kHz intervals all over 40/20M.  It’s coming from the keyboard itself.  Ferrites on the USB cord have no discernible impact on the garbage.  Touching the metal bottom plate significantly increases the level of the noise.  When portable I’m generally only 5-15’ from the antenna (a Buddipole).  

At least the keyboard was cheap enough to be a non-painful throwaway.

Thanks … 

Grant NQ5T
K3 #2091, KX3 #8342