I am new to shortwave but I am trying to learn. Does it really matter how
far the radio is from a computer? The computer is located in a room that
will allow me to eventually run an outdoor antenna (once I figure that out).

It just makes sense to have the computer and radio in the same area
especially with the access this room affords to the backyard and antenna
locations.

Also, any websites that would give someone very new to this the basics?
There are hundreds of sites out there and I a would like to find resources
that starts as if you have never listened to a radio station.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Sean

I can hear my neighbor's computer at S-2 500 metres away. I have to
completely shut mine off to hear anything.

--
Gregg
*Perhaps it's useful, even if it can't be SPICE'd*
Visit the GeeK Zone - http://geek.scorpiorising.ca

"Gregg" wrote in message
. ..
I can hear my neighbor's computer at S-2 500 metres away. I have to
completely shut mine off to hear anything.

--
Gregg
*Perhaps it's useful, even if it can't be SPICE'd*
Visit the GeeK Zone - http://geek.scorpiorising.ca

That has to be one really bad computer. I can listen to China on a portable
radio 5 feet from my powered on monitor.

Sean,
If you can keep the RF noise generated by the computer from getting into the
radio, then distance is not the issue. If the lead in from the antenna is
shielded wire, and properly grounded, and the radio is well shielded you
should have little problem receiving stronger signals. Since you seem to be
just getting started in this hobby here is one place you can start.

http://www.dxing.com/

Given that some use computer controlled radios, having the computer in the
same room as the radio can be done. Monitors are probably the worst source
for noise.

Here are other sites to look at.

www.arrl.org
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/rx_index.html
http://www.dxzone.com/
http://www.hard-core-dx.com/index.php
http://www.ac6v.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RX320/

It shouldn't take much effort to enjoy shortwave radio.

Have fun,

Craig

Same here. Also, I have a power center into which is connected the TV, VCR
and DVD and the component stereo into which the audio feeds, sending sound
to the stereo speaker. All of these items generate RF that interferes to one
degree or another with my shortwave radio. I have to shut almost all of it
down. The cordless phone undoubtedly generates some too, but so far not that
much.I have two scanners as well, but not much interference from them either
most of the time. The computer does interfere with the scanners on some
frequencies though. With three lengths of wire at least 80 feet long
horizontal, and two more 80 feet long, the antenna will sniff out RF very
well from anybody on the block.

I once had an antenna wire that passed several inches away from a telphone
wire. When I tuned to the LF band, I discovered the local home monitoring
service was running FM radio signals over that phone line, and you could
tell everything going on in someone's home and even understand conversations
if I tuned away fromthe main frequency a bit. There was no physical
connection - it was just the signal in the phone wire generated a magnetic
field in the region near the antenna, and the lines of force cut the antenna
wire, generating a copy of the signal in the telephone wire. Interference is
a hot topic amongst shortwave listeners s and many good discussions are
struck up talking about antennas and matching or tuning systems and all
kinds of other equipment to attenuate, remove or prevent unwanted singls
getting into a receiver. Digital Signal Processing can help as can audio
filtering of various sorts, which is another way to attack interference. But
it is best to prevent it getting in to begin with.

I have read claims that it is possible to sheild computer monitors so they
do not generate as much RF interference in shortwave radios, but I have no
clue how well that works in reality. Many monitors now claim to generate low
amounts of radiation. Supposedly the monotir was opened up and theinside
painted with something that blocked or absorbed any excessive RF. MM

Although my computer affects certain frequencies a little bit,the coax fed
outside antenna to my DX392 helps.

For my little radios I carry around the house (B&H, jWIN, eTR7), I have to turn
off my monitor. It's a Proview and should be required to have an FCC license as
a transmitter.

I had a strange problem, regarding my little radios. Although my computer and
monitor were on, there was no noise interferring with the stronger SW stations.
Then I plugged in my modem line to the phone circuit. (I had it disconnected
because of nearby lightning strikes.) This was at the opposite end of a long
run from the computer. The monitor noise was loud. Apparently, with the modem
line unloaded, there wasn't much radiation, despite the line running past the
little radio in use at the time.

73,
Bill, K5BY

Behold, craigm signaled from keyed 4-1000A filament:


"Gregg" wrote in message
. ..
I can hear my neighbor's computer at S-2 500 metres away. I have to
completely shut mine off to hear anything.

--
Gregg
*Perhaps it's useful, even if it can't be SPICE'd* Visit the GeeK Zone
- http://geek.scorpiorising.ca

That has to be one really bad computer. I can listen to China on a
portable radio 5 feet from my powered on monitor.

One of those dumb, plastic cased Compaq dealies - yeah, they're bad.

In the shop, when we got in the new 1GHz+ Celeries, they wiped out all our
900MHz cordless camera demos :-(

--
Gregg
*Perhaps it's useful, even if it can't be SPICE'd*
Visit the GeeK Zone - http://geek.scorpiorising.ca

My monitor is the quietest piece of equipment in my room. The wife's
freezer cranks out more RFI.

LW NDB DX'ing is the worst - I can hear TV oscillators for kilometers.

--
Gregg
*Perhaps it's useful, even if it can't be SPICE'd*
Visit the GeeK Zone - http://geek.scorpiorising.ca

Gregg: LW NDB DX'ing is the worst - I can hear TV oscillators for
kilometers.

I was on my porch yesterday evening and, on my eTR7, I got the 3.579 color
burst signal fairly strong, with weak audio on it, of all things. I don't know
which neighbor had that particular TV going. Or how the audio got on that
signal.

Bill, K5BY

Suggest you keep the computer & Monitor far away from your SWR
and use a co-ax lead-in from your antenna..


In article ,
(WShoots1) writes:


Gregg: LW NDB DX'ing is the worst - I can hear TV oscillators for
kilometers.

I was on my porch yesterday evening and, on my eTR7, I got the 3.579 color
burst signal fairly strong, with weak audio on it, of all things. I don't
know
which neighbor had that particular TV going. Or how the audio got on that
signal.

Bill, K5BY

Thanks everyone for your input. Very helpful.

Sean
"WShoots1" wrote in message
...
Although my computer affects certain frequencies a little bit,the coax fed
outside antenna to my DX392 helps.

For my little radios I carry around the house (B&H, jWIN, eTR7), I have to
turn
off my monitor. It's a Proview and should be required to have an FCC
license as
a transmitter.

I had a strange problem, regarding my little radios. Although my computer
and
monitor were on, there was no noise interferring with the stronger SW
stations.
Then I plugged in my modem line to the phone circuit. (I had it
disconnected
because of nearby lightning strikes.) This was at the opposite end of a
long
run from the computer. The monitor noise was loud. Apparently, with the
modem
line unloaded, there wasn't much radiation, despite the line running past
the
little radio in use at the time.

73,
Bill, K5BY