GW8IZR
Gone.
- Messages
- 2,323
- Location
- Anglesey
Consumer radio equipment cannot 'deal' with interference that is on the frequency its intended to receive, there is a requirement that equipment does not generate such interference. There are standards that it should meet. Economy devices seldom have sufficient suppression or thought put into the design. Very often the devices are first approved to meet a standard and then have vital suppression components removed to cut manufacturing cost.
The weld arc generates a very wide range of frequencies at varying levels. They all jumble up and mix to create a wideband noise which can extend up to and beyond UHF frequencies. This noise is radiated with varying degrees of success by the antenna, the antenna is the torch lead, the job itself, the earth cable etc, the length and shape of these components affects the success of the radiation of this unwanted noise. This wideband noise can mask the wanted signal that a receiver is trying to receive. It is in part on the frequency that you are trying to receive and has a similar effect to that of making the radio behave as if it is in a weak signal area.
This situation though is all about comparative levels that the victim device is subjected to. You can minimise the effect of HF interference from most electronic devices by first making sure the victim receiver is receiving the best possible signal. Simply moving the radio closer to a window or similar. Then try to move the welding operation away from the victim receiver, near field RF signals decay exponentially with distance. Just a few extra feet can make a difference.
If you improve the ratio of wanted signal (radio 2 etc ) to unwanted signal (noise from the weld arc ) you will improve reception.
HTH
