Interference

[Roger Dewhurst]

I recall reading that if an AM radio is tuned to frequency x plus or
minus the heterodyne frequency a radio tuned to frequency x will be
blotted out. Is this true? If so what is the heterodyne frequency?
Will it work with FM?

 

[Phil Allison]

"Roger Dewhurst"

I recall reading that if an AM radio is tuned to frequency x plus or minus
the heterodyne frequency a radio tuned to frequency x will be blotted out.
Is this true?

** Get two AM portables and try it.

If so what is the heterodyne frequency?

** 455kHz.

Will it work with FM?

** The antennas would have to be held close together.



...... Phil

 

[Peter Parker]

"Roger Dewhurst" <dewhurst@wave.co.nz> wrote in message
news:h62ggr$5bn$3@lust.ihug.co.nz...

I recall reading that if an AM radio is tuned to frequency x plus or minus
the heterodyne frequency a radio tuned to frequency x will be blotted out.
Is this true?

Yes, but the radios would normally need to be fairly close and it will only
work on some frequencies.

If so what is the heterodyne frequency?

IF is usually around 455kHz.

Get a radio and put it on a blank frequency near 1000 kHz. Tune the second
radio (held nearby) between about 1400 & 1500 kHz.

As local oscillator = tuned frequency + 455kHz you'll hear a swooshing noise
as you tune past.

If it's tuned to a weak station you'll hear a beat note which will change in
pitch when the second set is tuned.

Will it work with FM?

Yes. Same principle except the IF is 10.7 MHz and local oscillator is 10.7
MHz above the dial frequency.

If you are in an area where TV channel 4 or 5 is used, you can blot out
either picture or sound with an FM radio because these TV channels are
near/in the FM broadcast band and the receiver's local oscillator frequency.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Peter Parker"

Will it work with FM?

Yes. Same principle except the IF is 10.7 MHz and local oscillator is 10.7
MHz above the dial frequency.

** Errr - IME, the local oscillators of FM broadcast band receivers is
set 10.7MHz below the received frequencies.

Likely dates from when oscillators struggled to even make it to 100MHz -
using valves like the 12AT7 for example.




...... Phil

 

[Peter Parker]

"Phil Allison" <phil_a@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:7el7cjF2hcnrsU1@mid.individual.net...

"Peter Parker"

Will it work with FM?

Yes. Same principle except the IF is 10.7 MHz and local oscillator is
10.7 MHz above the dial frequency.


** Errr - IME, the local oscillators of FM broadcast band receivers is
set 10.7MHz below the received frequencies.

Yep, you're right.

Dial needed to be around 92 MHz to interfere with ch5 TV!

Another advantage of low side is that the LO won't interfere with the
aircraft band above 108 MHz.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Peter Parker"

"Phil Allison"
"Peter Parker"

Will it work with FM?

Yes. Same principle except the IF is 10.7 MHz and local oscillator is
10.7 MHz above the dial frequency.


** Errr - IME, the local oscillators of FM broadcast band receivers is
set 10.7MHz below the received frequencies.

Yep, you're right.

Dial needed to be around 92 MHz to interfere with ch5 TV!

** Ch5 was taken off air way back in the early day of FM broadcasting in
Australia.

Another advantage of low side is that the LO won't interfere with the
aircraft band above 108 MHz.

** Err - the choice of using a local oscillator ( LO) above or below
an incoming carrier mostly relates to the "image response" frequencies. In
the case of FM broadcasting, the chance of interference to FM listeners from
images was worse if the LO was above the carrier.

For below, the image frequency range is between 66.1 and 86.6 MHz.

For above, the image frequency range is between 108.9 and 129.4 MHz.

The latter band is used for air traffic control and navigation beacons -
so it is possible for broadcast FM receivers situated near airports or under
flight paths etc to be swamped with interference if the LO was on the high
side.


...... Phil

 

[Peter Parker]

"Phil Allison" <phil_a@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:7en0lqF2co2o3U1@mid.individual.net...

Dial needed to be around 92 MHz to interfere with ch5 TV!


** Ch5 was taken off air way back in the early day of FM broadcasting in
Australia.

Unless you live in Bunbury (WA) where FM radio remains severely restricted
due to high power TV transmitters on both ch3 & ch5.

http://travelaustralia.ws/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=366

 

[Davo]

Peter Parker wrote:

"Phil Allison" <phil_a@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:7en0lqF2co2o3U1@mid.individual.net...
Dial needed to be around 92 MHz to interfere with ch5 TV!

** Ch5 was taken off air way back in the early day of FM broadcasting in
Australia.

Unless you live in Bunbury (WA) where FM radio remains severely restricted
due to high power TV transmitters on both ch3 & ch5.

http://travelaustralia.ws/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=366

Hi Peter

I remember you as a radio whizz from your younger days, what are you up
to now? What career path did you follow?

VK6ABC