I will assume you guys are ham operators, I have a question! I watch TV using an outside antenna with pre amp., I get about 51 channels all but one is digital. I get an interference that wipes out a few my channels, (They break up or freeze). I know that someone is transmitting something, I go to my only analog channel and I can see the interference showing a snowy like horizontal bar that rolls up. I get the impression it is a sort of radio, because the interference act like someone keying a mic. Is there a simple filter I can build to clean it up. Oddly it is not on all channels, may be only effects certain frequencies maybe. Also is there a way I can use some method to locate the source?
In part to answer your question, there are many sources of interference, very common ones are touch lamps and rf controlled devices in your own home. I have even found leaky traps on the local cable tv lines to cause interference. Always be sure to check for in home culprits before assuming radio operations. In the past I have found from helping my neighbors with radio interference from my own transmitters that the most likely source once identified as out of the home signals are the HF frequency radios. They operate below 30mhz and you can install a high pass filter on your antenna lead, preferably prior to your preamp. These cut off frequencies below 50mhz and will eliminate most interference caused by ham or cb operators. A good ham operator will utilize a low pass filter that cuts off anything above 50mhz and help keep neighbors happy so if you find someone close by you might suggest he use one, I find most cb guys don't have a clue about filters but if approached without getting them on the defensive they are usually open to putting one on. Most ham operators will give you a filter if you talk to them, I bought my neighbors one and problem solved. They used to be available from radio shack for about 15 bucks. Hope this helps and good luck, Lakehunter ( KQ4PW on the HF airwaves )
