Thanks Well Seasoned I'm really glad you brought up the subject. Without this thread, I likely would not have thought about this for many more years. Actually reread the entire thread tonight, it's been a real success for many members, in my opinion. Well done sir.
Kinda cool.. During Field Day I did some FT8 digital work to make a few contacts. I generally do not log these contacts to QRZ or LOTW. (QRZ is a website with logging contact database, LOTW is Logbook Of The World and run by ARRL) For the non-hams. Well, I get an email today that he wants to confirm the contact via QSL card (confirmation of contact) with me. I'm like sure can, it was my first Russian contact, albeit I'm biased towards voice contacts, it does still count. I also complete his "worked all US counties" for New York. As one can imagine, working all US counties would be quite a task.
Was curious.. 3,243 (including 136 county equivalents in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and the 100 county equivalents in the U.S. territories) From Wikipedia
Helped 2 Scouts earn their radio merit badge today, courtesy of KC9KOA. Was a pleasure to help Jackson and Jack reach a milestone. Hopefully they go on to become Eagle Scouts.
Good for you for helping the boys. my co worker was telling me about how his daughter had her first scout meeting. Being an Eagle Scout myself I had to politely exit from the conversation. I have nothing against girls or women. In fact I quite like a few of them. I just don’t see what’s wrong with boys learning to be men around men… no disrespect any female scouts. Sorry for the rant, I really wish my boy could have gotten to participate in the program in the same manner is I did.. back to HAM
Hoping anyone can offer advice on some RFI I'm getting from some cheap LED lights I installed in my travel trailer. When the lights go on, the radio static increases AM and FM and clicks on the handheld ham I think a 31 or a 44 choke or a mix of both will work but I'm not sure. I'm sure there is going be some trial and error but is this right place to start?
Ferrites are often place on electrical and computer cables to reduce RFI. I have the impression that many LED assemblies have a sort of ballast, that may be your RFI source. Not sure that ferrites will eradicate that. Out of curiosity, what LED lights did you go with? I plan to use LED's in the polebarn, and will be looking to find some that are RFI quiet. Quick Google.. Are Your LED Lights Causing VHF Radio Interference Edit.. Here's a link to Palomar Engineers, LED RFI filter kit.. LED Light RFI kit – 1 Filter for AC Power Line RFI Suppression .15-10 MHz – Garage Door Opener RFI Kit – Palomar Engineers® It does appear to be a ferrite for the LED light assembly in Garage door openers.
Another interesting read, may be something in there that can help with your situation. Stopping EMI from Fluorescent Lights and Ballasts — 1000Bulbs.com Blog
Did you already purchase any ferrites? "Auto...mistake" keeps changing ferrites to ferries".. so if it comes out that way, I missed one. If you already purchased some, wrap the 12V DC lead lines through 2 or 3 times, it surely can't hurt anything. Best of luck to you on beating back the QRM.
no not yet. Thats what I'm going try and do with some 31 choke, but I'm not sure if they will work or I will need a combination and if that will even work.
Ferrite Products for RF Chokes, Baluns, and RFI Mitigation). RFI TIPS AND TRICKS for the ham radio operator
Thanks for that info, will definitely avoid that brand. Looks like mix 43 would be your best bet from the above reading.
Thanks I bought 10 of those. I'll see how they do and report back. I need to buy some more lights. If this works I'll just buy more of those, otherwise?? I probably won't bother with getting more till next spring at this point in the season. I'll update how well these work for these lights.
It sounds like I had partial success. 2 of the 5 didn't seem to make much difference. I wrapped each wire 2 times around each toroid. One of the problem lights I did 3 wraps on each one and it didn't make any difference. I have a few more ideas I may try, not a big deal with those two either. Not sure if I'll buy these lights again, it will depend on the market when I am ready next season if I decide to upgrade the rest of the incandescent fixtures.
Scouts Jamboree On The Air this weekend. Turn on the radio and help a scout get their merit badge. I will also be on the air for the NY QSO Party tomorrow.
Wondering if any of you thought about going the GMRS route, and if so, why did you decide to go HAM instead? (Or perhaps you do both?) I was watching vids on radios, and saw so many talking about GMRS I looked into that as well....
GMRS wasn’t yet available when I got my HAM license if I remember correctly. EDIT: Actually, I’m fairly certain I am mistaken about that.
I didn't hear/ know about GMRS until after I went down the ham "rabbit hole" recently. Pretty sure it wasn't a thing decades ago, but my interests weren't as inclined to look into it at that point It still wouldn't have intrigued me as much, I actually like the idea of international contacts more than "local comms". Both FRS and GMRS are a simple "pay to play" service/spectrum that will limit frequency and range. Not that they are not worthwhile, but still limit access. CB radio is still as viable an option as either of those. Ultimately it depends on what communication mode serves your purposes best.
