Virgin Wifi extender, interference with record deck. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

musicman334578 · 2nd Jun 2020, 9:08 pm

Hi all.
I have a Virgin Media wifi extender.

I noticed that when using PHONO on the AMP to play records on a magnetic cartridge, it picks up all the wonderful noises from the Wifi extender.

If I turn OFF the extender, I get total silence on the PHONO output. Switch it on and I get all the computer noises.

Any ideas how I can compress these signals so I can get my original silence on the PHONO line?

NB: If I use any other functions CD/TUNER etc, these are not affected at all.

Thank you
Gary.

paulsherwin · 2nd Jun 2020, 9:22 pm

Try a different wall wart PSU with the range extender.

Some RIAA preamps make very efficient radios. The pickup arm wiring acts as an aerial and the mag cartridge provides inductance. The signals get rectified somewhere and emerge as audible interference. My record deck and NAD 3030 amp used to pull in Radio Moscow very well in the 80s.

Electronpusher0 · 2nd Jun 2020, 10:29 pm

Most if not all WiFi extenders have built in psus, the whole thing plugs into the wall socket.

100pF caps on the input of the phono preamp may help.

Peter

Michael Maurice · 2nd Jun 2020, 10:39 pm

I've had this before, the set up used the mains to carry wifi signals so you couldn't use a different wall wart.

Paul may be right regarding the pick up arm acting as an aerial, but what would happen if a capacitor were to be fitted across the input to limit the upper frequency response?

Crossed posts with Peter's post

paulsherwin · 2nd Jun 2020, 11:01 pm

The cartridge is inductive, so adding capacitance just changes the resonant frequency. You have to get rid of the HF in the preamp.

It could be that the range extender is just electrically noisy. Do you actually need it? The access point in the main router will normally cover an average sized house. If you really need it, moving it somewhere else away from the record deck may help.

musicman334578 · 3rd Jun 2020, 7:42 am

Hmmm sounds like this is one of those things you get for having extenders on the mains circuit.

I will resort to just switching the extender off, which solves the problem!!

Thank you all very much for your input as it was driving me crazy!

Best wishes
Gary

Nuvistor · 3rd Jun 2020, 8:08 am

Instead of a mains transmitted WiFi extender have you tried a repeater, this takes the WiFi signal and retransmits on a different channel. My setup works well but of course every situation is different.
Audio amplifiers acting as radio receivers was quite common at one time.

Of course switching the the item off is as good as any other solution.

PsychMan · 3rd Jun 2020, 8:28 am

Worth checking all your turntable earth connections are good. I had this a few weeks back.

My Cambridge Audio MM pre-amp picked up nice loud, yet distorted output from my nearby pantry transmitter. With the pantry transmitter off the issue was a lot less obvious.

I traced the issue down to a less than perfect connection to the spade terminal of the turntable earth. Making this good silenced it completely.

PS: If its a powerline ethernet device, then as suggested use a wifi repeater instead. In addition to them ruining many forms of radio reception they are not very reliable at all in my experience. I used some temporarily while I moved into a new property, of 5 bought 3 were dead after a few months. My mother uses them in her house (different brand) and Ive had to replace one of those too..

2nd Jun 2020, 9:08 pm	#1
musicman334578 Triode Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Southend on Sea, Essex, UK. Posts: 16	Virgin Wifi extender, interference with record deck. Hi all. I have a Virgin Media wifi extender. I noticed that when using PHONO on the AMP to play records on a magnetic cartridge, it picks up all the wonderful noises from the Wifi extender. If I turn OFF the extender, I get total silence on the PHONO output. Switch it on and I get all the computer noises. Any ideas how I can compress these signals so I can get my original silence on the PHONO line? NB: If I use any other functions CD/TUNER etc, these are not affected at all. Thank you Gary.

2nd Jun 2020, 9:22 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,932	Re: Virgin Wifi extender, interference with record deck. Try a different wall wart PSU with the range extender. Some RIAA preamps make very efficient radios. The pickup arm wiring acts as an aerial and the mag cartridge provides inductance. The signals get rectified somewhere and emerge as audible interference. My record deck and NAD 3030 amp used to pull in Radio Moscow very well in the 80s.

2nd Jun 2020, 10:29 pm	#3
Electronpusher0 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 2,294	Re: Virgin Wifi extender, interference with record deck. Most if not all WiFi extenders have built in psus, the whole thing plugs into the wall socket. 100pF caps on the input of the phono preamp may help. Peter

2nd Jun 2020, 10:39 pm	#4
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,222	Re: Virgin Wifi extender, interference with record deck. I've had this before, the set up used the mains to carry wifi signals so you couldn't use a different wall wart. Paul may be right regarding the pick up arm acting as an aerial, but what would happen if a capacitor were to be fitted across the input to limit the upper frequency response? Crossed posts with Peter's post __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/ Last edited by Michael Maurice; 2nd Jun 2020 at 10:41 pm. Reason: crossed posts

2nd Jun 2020, 11:01 pm	#5
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,932	Re: Virgin Wifi extender, interference with record deck. The cartridge is inductive, so adding capacitance just changes the resonant frequency. You have to get rid of the HF in the preamp. It could be that the range extender is just electrically noisy. Do you actually need it? The access point in the main router will normally cover an average sized house. If you really need it, moving it somewhere else away from the record deck may help.

3rd Jun 2020, 7:42 am	#6
musicman334578 Triode Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Southend on Sea, Essex, UK. Posts: 16	Re: Virgin Wifi extender, interference with record deck. Hmmm sounds like this is one of those things you get for having extenders on the mains circuit. I will resort to just switching the extender off, which solves the problem!! Thank you all very much for your input as it was driving me crazy! Best wishes Gary

3rd Jun 2020, 8:08 am	#7
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,431	Re: Virgin Wifi extender, interference with record deck. Instead of a mains transmitted WiFi extender have you tried a repeater, this takes the WiFi signal and retransmits on a different channel. My setup works well but of course every situation is different. Audio amplifiers acting as radio receivers was quite common at one time. Of course switching the the item off is as good as any other solution. __________________ Frank

3rd Jun 2020, 8:28 am	#8
PsychMan Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,764	Re: Virgin Wifi extender, interference with record deck. Worth checking all your turntable earth connections are good. I had this a few weeks back. My Cambridge Audio MM pre-amp picked up nice loud, yet distorted output from my nearby pantry transmitter. With the pantry transmitter off the issue was a lot less obvious. I traced the issue down to a less than perfect connection to the spade terminal of the turntable earth. Making this good silenced it completely. PS: If its a powerline ethernet device, then as suggested use a wifi repeater instead. In addition to them ruining many forms of radio reception they are not very reliable at all in my experience. I used some temporarily while I moved into a new property, of 5 bought 3 were dead after a few months. My mother uses them in her house (different brand) and Ive had to replace one of those too..