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Ignition system causing RF inteference in radio. #121038
09/15/08 04:46 PM
09/15/08 04:46 PM
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Midland, Tx
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rjones Offline OP
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I have just got the am radio working in my 68 dart and the ignition system is causing a buzzing noise in the radio. I have metal core spark plug wires and resistor type spark plugs. I know the carbon core resistive type of plug wires are supposed to stop this problem but I hate to lose my metal core plug wires. Does anyone know of any other soultion to this?

Thanks,

Roger

Re: Ignition system causing RF inteference in radio. [Re: rjones] #121039
09/15/08 04:50 PM
09/15/08 04:50 PM
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Snowing in the north!
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Dart 340 Offline
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You can put a filter inline to help with that.
I cant think of a part number for you off the top of my head, but call Crutchfield or radio shack even and they can hook you up.

Re: Ignition system causing RF inteference in radio. [Re: Dart 340] #121040
09/15/08 09:20 PM
09/15/08 09:20 PM
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Tallmadge, Ohio
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Paul_B Offline
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An inline filter on the power feed to the radio may help, but with solid core wires, I'd suspect you'll always have some interference unless you change wires.

Re: Ignition system causing RF inteference in radio. [Re: Paul_B] #121041
09/15/08 10:18 PM
09/15/08 10:18 PM

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You'll probably not make much headway without suppressor plug wires of some sort.

Here's some things you can do:

Break down and buy suppressor plug wires.

Install the shortest jumper wires you can from the back of the hood to the body--also if you look around there does exist grounding clips for this purpose--they consist of springy brass/ bronze material with "teeth" which you screw to the body, and fit them so the hood bites into them when closed.

Check or replace your radio antenna--they can go bad, you may have a bad ground on the coax feeder.

Get some "feedthrough" capacitors if possible, if not, buy 'any' cap designed for radio noise, at NAPA or (cough gag) Radio Sh@@ Other caps, like the ones used in old points systems will also work fine. Put one as close to the ign supply positive as you can to ground,with a short lead. (On modern CDI systems, the coil positive is NOT where you want it) Sometimes it helps to also install one on the radio case. The key here is "short leads". The longer the leads--even more than just a VERY few inches--acts as an antenna, so to speak

Sometimes it can ALSO help to add one to the alternator--which should already have one in it, right across the "big stud" to ground.


In older "times" cars with two way --and especially HF (high frequency) radio installations could get very hairy. I remember one whereby the noise was being radiated by the exhaust system--and yep--needed some bonding wires from the exhaust to the body.

Pickups are notorius--cabs and beds not really bonded to the frame Sometimes even the doors are a problem!!

Modern rigs are a PITA---electric fuel pumps, microprocessors, and lots of other noise makers. My old 86 Dodge 600 radiated a signal on the "national calling freq" for the 2 meter amateur band--you could not scan 146.52 MHZ because the car's injection computer would interfere.

Re: Ignition system causing RF inteference in radio. [Re: rjones] #121042
09/16/08 08:41 AM
09/16/08 08:41 AM
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USA
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360view Offline
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http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/rfigen.html

probably more there than you want to know

Re: Ignition system causing RF inteference in radio. [Re: 360view] #121043
09/16/08 11:04 AM
09/16/08 11:04 AM
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michigan
black64 Offline
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RFI is radiated to the antenna. Make sure you have the hood grounded properly with a braided ground strap across the hinge. A bad grounded hood is like having no hood at all to RFI noise.

Re: Ignition system causing RF inteference in radio. [Re: black64] #121044
09/16/08 02:32 PM
09/16/08 02:32 PM

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Quote:

RFI is radiated to the antenna. Make sure you have the hood grounded properly with a braided ground strap across the hinge. A bad grounded hood is like having no hood at all to RFI noise.




Sometimes it is, sometimes it is not. Sometimes it "gets in" through the power lead to the radio.

You are correct, though, and as I said above, groundig the hood is certainly a good start

Re: Ignition system causing RF inteference in radio. #121045
09/16/08 09:00 PM
09/16/08 09:00 PM
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Midland, Tx
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rjones Offline OP
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Thanks for the suggestions and help. I broke down and gave up my metal core spark plug wires and replaced them with radio noise suppression wires. Problem solved.

Thanks,

Roger

Re: Ignition system causing RF inteference in radio. [Re: rjones] #121046
09/17/08 09:27 AM
09/17/08 09:27 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,019
Eau Claire, WI
ResQ911 Offline
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I see you found your problem but I thought I would add something. I had the same problem and even after switching plug wires, the noise was still present although reduced. I moved my rear speaker wires over to the passenger side and away from powered wires that run under drivers side sill plate and now it is silent.







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