Interference on 198kHz, BBC Radio 4 - Page 3 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Andrew2 · 24th Oct 2013, 11:47 pm

Yes Colin, I have had a Wellbrook 1530 wagging about in the breeze for several years. When I bought mine they were about £120 inc psu and interface, but they've gone up considerably since then.

I have a write-up on me website:

http://www.freewebs.com/g1hbe/listening.htm

Scroll down for the full story.

25th Oct 2013, 8:23 am

Yes I have (well the LFL1010 a lower frequency version, same size) and it is still used for my AM reception. Well worth the money.

ukcol · 25th Oct 2013, 10:13 am

Thanks Andy and merlinmaxwell, its nice to get some feedback before committing my cash.

Andy your comprehensive write up was of particular help.

Colin M

Mr Hoover · 25th Oct 2013, 11:54 am

Hi

To check if the interference is coming from something inside your house, switch the mains off and check with a portable radio if the interference is still there...

Hugh

Andrew2 · 26th Oct 2013, 9:32 am

I tried this once and at first I thought Bingo! as the interference seemed to disappear, but my joy was short lived as all that had happened was that the noise had become much weaker because the 'loop' of interference-carrying wire was no longer running through our house. All the same noises were still there, just weaker.

ukcol · 27th Feb 2014, 3:49 pm

I never did get round to spending money on a better aerial but I have to report a dramatic change after having a smart electricity meter fitted.

I am now able to receive Radio 4 long wave with no background noise at all. As Keith mentioned in post 34 I have put a portable near the new meter and it is radiating lots of rubbish as the old one did, but it falls away with distance a lot quicker and does not interfere with 198kHz at all outside the hall way.

So I shall quit whilst I am winning.

27th Feb 2014, 4:43 pm

Was your old meter an electronic one? I guess the new one uses radio (mobile 'phone infrastructure) so it has to be quieter so it can work. EMC eh? 'only if it affects me'.

ukcol · 27th Feb 2014, 4:53 pm

The old meter must have had a SMPS as this new one does. The new meter communicates with the supplier via the O2 network and there is also a wireless communication to the display unit which probably uses similar frequencies to those used by a computer to communicate wireless to a router.

In the case of both the old and new meter it's the power supply that is (was) radiating in the bands used by AM radio.

Aub · 28th Feb 2014, 11:24 am

Quote:

EMC eh? 'only if it affects me'.

My broadband EMC is the other way round - it only effects me!

Cheers

aub

28th Feb 2014, 6:23 pm

Quote:

My broadband EMC

That would be EMI.

winston_1 · 28th Feb 2014, 6:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkn102l

Hi Merlinmaxwell: so what did Ofcom do for you?? BT are still selling the product so surely it can't contravene any "Rules"?

Sadly they are legal to sell. What is not legal is causing interference which is what they do if used as intended.

BT, Maplin, Argos , Currys, etc are all irresponsible retailers who care more about profits than anything else.

There is at one responsible retailer however.

http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page22.htm#PLT

24th Oct 2013, 11:47 pm	#41
Andrew2 Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 2,038	Re: Interference on 198kHz, BBC Radio 4 Yes Colin, I have had a Wellbrook 1530 wagging about in the breeze for several years. When I bought mine they were about £120 inc psu and interface, but they've gone up considerably since then. I have a write-up on me website: http://www.freewebs.com/g1hbe/listening.htm Scroll down for the full story. __________________ Andy G1HBE.

25th Oct 2013, 8:23 am	#42
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Interference on 198kHz, BBC Radio 4 Yes I have (well the LFL1010 a lower frequency version, same size) and it is still used for my AM reception. Well worth the money.

25th Oct 2013, 10:13 am	#43
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: Interference on 198kHz, BBC Radio 4 Thanks Andy and merlinmaxwell, its nice to get some feedback before committing my cash. Andy your comprehensive write up was of particular help. Colin M

25th Oct 2013, 11:54 am	#44
Mr Hoover Hexode Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Faro, Portugal Posts: 270	Re: Interference on 198kHz, BBC Radio 4 Hi To check if the interference is coming from something inside your house, switch the mains off and check with a portable radio if the interference is still there... Hugh

26th Oct 2013, 9:32 am	#45
Andrew2 Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 2,038	Re: Interference on 198kHz, BBC Radio 4 I tried this once and at first I thought Bingo! as the interference seemed to disappear, but my joy was short lived as all that had happened was that the noise had become much weaker because the 'loop' of interference-carrying wire was no longer running through our house. All the same noises were still there, just weaker. __________________ Andy G1HBE.

27th Feb 2014, 3:49 pm	#46
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: Interference on 198kHz, BBC Radio 4 I never did get round to spending money on a better aerial but I have to report a dramatic change after having a smart electricity meter fitted. I am now able to receive Radio 4 long wave with no background noise at all. As Keith mentioned in post 34 I have put a portable near the new meter and it is radiating lots of rubbish as the old one did, but it falls away with distance a lot quicker and does not interfere with 198kHz at all outside the hall way. So I shall quit whilst I am winning.

27th Feb 2014, 4:43 pm	#47
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Interference on 198kHz, BBC Radio 4 Was your old meter an electronic one? I guess the new one uses radio (mobile 'phone infrastructure) so it has to be quieter so it can work. EMC eh? 'only if it affects me'.

27th Feb 2014, 4:53 pm	#48
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: Interference on 198kHz, BBC Radio 4 The old meter must have had a SMPS as this new one does. The new meter communicates with the supplier via the O2 network and there is also a wireless communication to the display unit which probably uses similar frequencies to those used by a computer to communicate wireless to a router. In the case of both the old and new meter it's the power supply that is (was) radiating in the bands used by AM radio.