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G4C08

AMATEUR RADIO PRACTICES · - Interference to consumer electronics; grounding and bonding

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Which of the following would reduce RF interference caused by common-mode current on an audio cable?

  1. APlace a ferrite choke on the cable
  2. BConnect the center conductor to the shield of all cables to short circuit the RFI signal
  3. CGround the center conductor of the audio cable causing the interference
  4. DAdd an additional insulating jacket to the cable
Why Common-mode current is RF flowing in the same direction on every conductor of the cable, including the shield, so the cable acts like an antenna feeding RF into the audio gear. A ferrite core clamped around the whole cable adds series impedance only to that common-mode current, because the desired audio signal travels as equal and opposite currents whose fields cancel inside the core. Several turns of the cable through the ferrite increase the choking impedance further.
Watch out Shorting center conductor to shield would simply kill the audio signal, and grounding the center conductor does the same; neither addresses the RF riding on the outside of the cable. Extra insulation does nothing, since common-mode current is conducted on the wire, not leaking through the jacket.
Ferrite chokes the common mode, passes the differential signal. Think of it as a one-way speed bump for RF on the outside.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
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The rest of G4C

  1. G4C01 Which of the following might be useful in reducing RF interference to audio frequency circuits?
  2. G4C02 Which of the following could be a cause of interference covering a wide range of frequencies?
  3. G4C03 What sound is heard from an audio device experiencing RF interference from a single sideband phone transmitte…
  4. G4C04 What sound is heard from an audio device experiencing RF interference from a CW transmitter?
  5. G4C05 What is a possible cause of high voltages that produce RF burns?
  6. G4C06 What is a possible effect of a resonant ground connection?
  7. G4C07 Why should soldered joints not be used in lightning protection ground connections?
  8. G4C08 Which of the following would reduce RF interference caused by common-mode current on an audio cable?
  9. G4C09 How can the effects of ground loops be minimized?
  10. G4C10 What could be a symptom caused by a ground loop in your station's audio connections?
  11. G4C11 What technique helps to minimize RF "hot spots" in an amateur station?
  12. G4C12 Why must all metal enclosures of station equipment be grounded?
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