Noise on VHF from Fridge

aerosail · #1 (**permalink**) 12-15-2002

I have an Icom 502 installed at the nav station on my sailboat with a remote mike at the helm. There is a hum in the radio when the fridge is on (Adler Barbour cold machine)which gets worse when I try to transmit. I am reported unreadable under these conditions. Obviously the problem is in the fridge. Any ideas?

Jeff_H · #2 (**permalink**) 12-15-2002

Adler Barbour is aware of this radio interference problem which can be quite serious if you need to monitor a channel during a critical time. I am not sure that they have come up with a solution but this has been widely discussed on the internet.

Jeff

kimberlite · #3 (**permalink**) 12-15-2002

Have You tried putting ferrites on all the wiring?
eric

Sailmc · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2002

Go to Radio Shack and ask for an FM choke. This is a device you cut into the DC line into your radio. This should illiminate most or all of the problem. The choke shouldn''t cost more than $15 and it shouldn''t take you longer than 30 minutes to install.

sailnby · #5 (**permalink**) 12-18-2002

Aerosail, The ferrite beads, RF chokes, torrodials and whatever other noise suppresion devices will work if the noise is coming through the power source, however as Jeff eluded this sounds as if it is radiated. Without specifics I''m unsure what to suggest other than re-orienting the Icom and all mic cables as a test. There are meshes and enclosures that can all but eliminate radiated interference.