Thread: Road static?
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Old January 9th 04, 09:52 PM
John Smith
 
Posts: n/a
Default Road static?

Here's one to explain:

There I was, driving along a two-lane asphalt highway trying to listen to an
AM band station on 1230 kHz about 70 miles away (they only run 250 Watts)
and getting considerable static. I noticed that the static diminished when I
came to a stop and resumed when I began again. This was not alternator whine
or spark plug noise--more like white noise. So, I thought, it must be static
from wind in the antenna or maybe tire-on-roadway static.

Then I hit a section of road with a new 3-week-old layer of asphalt laid
over the old asphalt. The noise disappeared! The noise returned when I drove
off that new section of asphalt. Hmmmm. Did I just imagine it? So, I asked
my XYL to pay attention to the station/static when the next opportunity
arrived. Another section of fresh asphalt produced the same thing and she
can verify it. It happened every time.

Now I ask you... why would I have statickey noise from driving on old
asphalt? Or, maybe the question should be why would fresh asphalt be a noise
quencher? Or something.


Thanks,
John
KD5YI