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John, N9JG October 26th 06 03:06 PM

RF gets into computer
 
When I operate on 75 meter SSB with my transceiver, my computer beeps and
disconnects/reconnects my USB connected keyboard. Note that I do not have
this problem on 40 meter SSB. My computer is located on the second floor of
a brick house, and one end of my dipole is about 15 feet from my shack.

From comments made by others, I may have to put RF filters on the cables
and wires connected to my computer. I am contemplating the use of
Amidon FT-240-77 ferrite toroids, which have an I.D. of 1.4 inches and
cost $9 each. If I buy in quantities of 10, is there a cheaper source
for this toroid?

Any comments or suggestions on this problem would be appreciated.



Yuri Blanarovich October 26th 06 03:15 PM

RF gets into computer
 
Try Snap-on-choke, I think Radio shmack stil carries them.
They are two U shaped ferite pieces with plastic clamp. (Or split core
cylindrical ferite cores as seen on some keyboard or USB cables.)
You open them up, wing the wire or cord around the "legs" and close it. Put
it close to the computer case. It shouyld clear the problem.
You might wanna try which cable is most "antenna" and picking up RF

73 Yuri, K3BU


"John, N9JG" wrote in message
t...
When I operate on 75 meter SSB with my transceiver, my computer beeps and
disconnects/reconnects my USB connected keyboard. Note that I do not have
this problem on 40 meter SSB. My computer is located on the second floor
of
a brick house, and one end of my dipole is about 15 feet from my shack.

From comments made by others, I may have to put RF filters on the cables
and wires connected to my computer. I am contemplating the use of
Amidon FT-240-77 ferrite toroids, which have an I.D. of 1.4 inches and
cost $9 each. If I buy in quantities of 10, is there a cheaper source
for this toroid?

Any comments or suggestions on this problem would be appreciated.




Denny October 26th 06 05:06 PM

RF gets into computer
 
Good advice Yuri...
But, I think the first thing he needs to do is get some aluminum roof
flashing from Home Depot and cover the top of the operating bench with
it and set the equipment on the flashing... Ground every piece of gear
to the flashing with short connections... THen hang a quarter wave of
wire off the flashing (68 feet for 80/75) - which becomes an RF
counterpoise, and route it down the hall, or out a wind0w, anywhere to
get the far end as far away as possible from the computer and the
110/220 electrical wiring in that room...
Another trick is to use a small antenna tuner as the ground radial
tuner - I prefer simply cutting the RF counterpoise to a quarter
wave, cheaper too...
The next thing is to get the Logic Tech wireless keyboard and mouse...

denny / k8do


Bob Miller October 26th 06 06:17 PM

RF gets into computer
 
On 26 Oct 2006 09:06:23 -0700, "Denny" wrote:


The next thing is to get the Logic Tech wireless keyboard and mouse...

denny / k8do


Is it better than the Microsoft wireless keyboard & mouse?

bob
k5qwg

Richard Clark October 26th 06 06:53 PM

RF gets into computer
 
On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:17:10 GMT, Bob Miller
wrote:

Is it better than the Microsoft wireless keyboard & mouse?


Hi Bob,

That question is apocryphal. I remember installing Windows 3 and
having one hell of a time getting the mouse to work. I called the M$
help line and they marched me through the complete install.

They pondered my problems and finally asked:
"What mouse I are you using?"
Me:
"A Microsoft mouse."
The voice of the blue screen:
"Microsoft mice are not compatible with Windows."

There was an object lesson there I will never forget.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Denny October 26th 06 07:11 PM

RF gets into computer
 
It's the brand they had at the big box store... Works for me...
Keyboard works across the full length of my shack, ~56 feet...


denny

Bob Miller wrote:
On 26 Oct 2006 09:06:23 -0700, "Denny" wrote:


The next thing is to get the Logic Tech wireless keyboard and mouse...

denny / k8do


Is it better than the Microsoft wireless keyboard & mouse?

bob
k5qwg



Merlin-7 KI4ILB October 26th 06 10:19 PM

RF gets into computer
 
I have the same problem but only with my usb key board when I am on 10
meters...
Joe

The next thing is to get the Logic Tech wireless keyboard and mouse...

denny / k8do


Is it better than the Microsoft wireless keyboard & mouse?

bob
k5qwg





Jim - NN7K October 26th 06 10:36 PM

RF gets into computer
 
THAT might have explaination for! MY Mouse
(wireless), has 2 channels available, and
BOTH are C.B. channels! (think ch. 13, and 14
) Might try holding down a key, while tuneing
11 meters? Also, could have harmonic of 75,
on 7th harmonic hitting it ?? Aprox. 3868 kc
for the guy with a problem with his wireless
keyboard? Jim NN7K

Merlin-7 KI4ILB wrote:
I have the same problem but only with my usb key board when I am on 10
meters...
Joe
The next thing is to get the Logic Tech wireless keyboard and mouse...

denny / k8do
Is it better than the Microsoft wireless keyboard & mouse?

bob
k5qwg




Owen Duffy October 26th 06 10:43 PM

RF gets into computer
 
On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 14:06:53 GMT, "John, N9JG"
wrote:

When I operate on 75 meter SSB with my transceiver, my computer beeps and
disconnects/reconnects my USB connected keyboard. Note that I do not have
this problem on 40 meter SSB. My computer is located on the second floor of
a brick house, and one end of my dipole is about 15 feet from my shack.

From comments made by others, I may have to put RF filters on the cables
and wires connected to my computer. I am contemplating the use of
Amidon FT-240-77 ferrite toroids, which have an I.D. of 1.4 inches and
cost $9 each. If I buy in quantities of 10, is there a cheaper source
for this toroid?

Any comments or suggestions on this problem would be appreciated.


John,

You describe a problem that could be caused / exacerbated by one or
both of:
- lack of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of your computer; and
- a hostile RF environment.

Before you lay blame at the computer, it is worth whether the RF field
strengths, and conducted and induced currents and voltages in your
shack are unnecessarily high.

You have give very little description of your antenna, feedline, and
station earth... too scant to analyse and offer much advice.

The hint is there that this problem is evident on 80m, while 40m seems
OK. Why is that?

Is the identified PC problem really a manifestation of a "hot" shack?
Have you conducted any experiments to identify excessive common mode
feedline currents in the shack (the same procedures you might follow
if you got an RF burn from something in the shack)?

Owen

--

Slow Code October 27th 06 01:08 AM

RF gets into computer
 
"John, N9JG" wrote in
t:

When I operate on 75 meter SSB with my transceiver, my computer beeps
and disconnects/reconnects my USB connected keyboard. Note that I do not
have this problem on 40 meter SSB. My computer is located on the second
floor of a brick house, and one end of my dipole is about 15 feet from
my shack.

From comments made by others, I may have to put RF filters on the cables
and wires connected to my computer. I am contemplating the use of
Amidon FT-240-77 ferrite toroids, which have an I.D. of 1.4 inches and
cost $9 each. If I buy in quantities of 10, is there a cheaper source
for this toroid?

Any comments or suggestions on this problem would be appreciated.




Do CW, you won't know if it's your computer or radio beeping. Problem
solved.


SC


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