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CB wash over the computer speakers
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:08 pm
by renovation
every now and then i get Cb wash from the guy down the street coming over my computer speakers .
anyone know if there is a filter i can get to stop this !
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:11 pm
by MegaVectra
You need speakers with better shielding.
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:20 pm
by FlyingPenguin
Ditto. You either have cheap speakers with poor shielding, or you have a broken shield on one of your wires.
The shmuck down the street is also probably putting out signal WAY over the legal limit, so if you feel like it I'd call the FCC and report him.
Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 6:11 pm
by Jim Z
You need speakers with better shielding.
"shielded" speakers only buck stray magnetic fields from the speakers' magnets, so you can place them near a CRT without bending it.
speaker wires are typically not shielded.
What happens with AM (CB is AM, by the way) is that the speaker wires pick up the signal, and then the output stage of the amplifier picks it up and feeds it back into the speakers, having filtered out the carrier.
What should help is taking a ferrite core and wrapping the amplifier end of the speaker leads through it a few times. Ferrite cores are the ceramic cylinders found on most VGA and DVI cables, either molded or clamped on.
Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:22 pm
by Pugsley
Nah.. If we are talking about plain amped desktop speakers then the amp is in the speaker and theres not much you can do. But i would go down the street and ask him to tone it down or something... and if he doesent then get the FCC on his ass.
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 7:13 pm
by RexHavoc
If the guy down the street tells you to get stuffed...try sticking a metal hat pin through his coax. His "Dave-made" amplifier will turn into an 'ampli-fryer'.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:03 pm
by CaterpillarAssassin
I had this very strange occurance a long time ago (5-7 years) where when I would order a payperview movie on 2 certain channels (no not XXX) I would pick up a local rock station. Very odd indeed. I called the cable company and the next time I got a movie it didnt happen anymore. I think you need to speak with him, he's probably broadcasting a powerful signal.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:27 pm
by FlyingPenguin
speaker wires are typically not shielded.
Well ANY amplified speaker will have shielded wires going to the computer. They may be cheap shielded wires, but they're all shielded unless they're unpowered. If you have an amp then the wires going from the amp to the speakers aren't shielded.
But you're right about the reverse leakage Jim. And most speakers have an unshielded cable going from one speaker to the other remote speaker.
If the CB signal is really strong it may even be leaking in through something else like a phone wire.
I'd definately consider contacting the FCC. Under normal power output you really shoudln't be picking him up.
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:13 am
by Pugsley
Originally posted by RexHavoc
If the guy down the street tells you to get stuffed...try sticking a metal hat pin through his coax. His "Dave-made" amplifier will turn into an 'ampli-fryer'.
Just try and make sure he isnt transmitting when you do it. that could hurt and give you internal burns.