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E4E12

AMATEUR PRACTICES · Noise and interference: external RF interference; electrical and computer noise; line noise; DSP filtering and noise reduction; common-mode current; surge protectors; single point ground panel

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What causes interference received as a series of carriers at regular intervals across a wide frequency range?

  1. ASwitch-mode power supplies
  2. BRadar transmitters
  3. CWireless security camera transmitters
  4. DElectric fences
Why A switching power supply chops DC at a fixed rate, typically tens to hundreds of kHz, and the sharp switching edges generate a long series of harmonics of that switching frequency. On the receiver those harmonics show up as evenly spaced carriers, often called birdies, at intervals equal to the switching rate, spread all the way across HF and beyond. The key clue in the question is the words 'regular intervals,' which points to a fixed repetitive switching rate rather than a random or bursty source.
Watch out Electric fences are a common noise source too, but they produce a broadband pop or buzz repeating about once per second in time, not a comb of carriers at regular spacing in frequency. Radar and wireless cameras occupy specific microwave bands and would not spray evenly spaced signals across the HF spectrum.
Regular spacing in frequency = harmonics of a switching rate. Think birdies every few tens of kHz from a switch-mode supply.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
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The rest of E4E

  1. E4E01 What problem can occur when using an automatic notch filter (ANF) to remove interfering carriers while receiv…
  2. E4E02 Which of the following types of noise can often be reduced by a digital noise reduction?
  3. E4E03 Which of the following types of noise are removed by a noise blanker?
  4. E4E04 How can conducted noise from an automobile battery charging system be suppressed?
  5. E4E05 What is used to suppress radio frequency interference from a line-driven AC motor?
  6. E4E06 What type of electrical interference can be caused by computer network equipment?
  7. E4E07 Which of the following can cause shielded cables to radiate or receive interference?
  8. E4E08 What current flows equally on all conductors of an unshielded multiconductor cable?
  9. E4E09 What undesirable effect can occur when using a noise blanker?
  10. E4E10 Which of the following can create intermittent loud roaring or buzzing AC line interference?
  11. E4E11 What could be the cause of local AM broadcast band signals combining to generate spurious signals on the MF o…
  12. E4E12 What causes interference received as a series of carriers at regular intervals across a wide frequency range?
  13. E4E13 Where should a station AC surge protector be installed?
  14. E4E14 What is the purpose of a single point ground panel?
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