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Re: [RFI] USB qrm - what to do?

To: rfi@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RFI] USB qrm - what to do?
From: Steve <steve65@suddenlink.net>
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2017 17:34:31 -0400
List-post: <rfi@contesting.com">mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
Do common, run-of-the-mill USB cables have shields? The USB page on wikipedia says a shield for the data pair is part of the USB specification. Just wondering if cheaper cables omit the shield?

I see on various web sites that some USB cables are advertised as having a shield, it seems that web pages for most cables do reference a shield. So if you want a cable with a shield, do you need to look for those cables that specifically state that they have a shield?

One more question: If a USB cable has a shield, to what is the shield connected? Perhaps the USB connector's outer metal shell? On both ends of the cable?

Steve, K8JQ

On 3/13/2017 10:27 AM, Matthew King - KK4CPS wrote:
Pete - I had similar problems until I purchased shielded USB cables with
the small ferrites already molded in. The ones I have are silver and look
braided under a clear insulation. They are noticeably thicker than a
regular cable.

Those these don't LOOK the same as mine, I'd trust the Tripp-Lite brand to
be properly shielded, I do believe.

*https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Hi-Speed-Ferrite-U023-006/dp/B003MQ29B2
<https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Hi-Speed-Ferrite-U023-006/dp/B003MQ29B2>*

This is more what mine look like - I don't know that it's necessary to be
able to "see" the shielding or not! *:-)*


*http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-5M-USB2-0-A-Male-to-B-Male-M-M-Extension-Shield-Cable-Blue-for-Printer-Scanner-/321535280583?hash=item4adcff05c7:g:n2oAAOSw~AVYuMEa
<http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-5M-USB2-0-A-Male-to-B-Male-M-M-Extension-Shield-Cable-Blue-for-Printer-Scanner-/321535280583?hash=item4adcff05c7:g:n2oAAOSw~AVYuMEa>*

Anyhow, maybe that'll help ya out.

Be good!

73

Matt
AK4MK

On Mon, Mar 13, 2017 at 7:31 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr@comcast.net> wrote:

My shack computer has 6 different USB devices attached.  When I disconnect
all but the keyboard, it cuts the background noise level on 160M by a
whopping 25 dB, from S9+18 down to S8 (as monitored by HDSDR and my QS1R,
calibrated by an Elecraft XG3).

What is to be done?  It doesn't seemvery feasible to wind each usb cable
on a small type 31 toroid and get enough attenuation .  Available snap-ons
all seem to roll off dramatically below 25 MHz. Can a common mode filter be
built using discrete components that will have decent attenuation at 160 M?
Or, maybe, is such a filter available commercially?  I have Googled and
reviewed K9YC's tutorial but found nothing directly apposite.

Thanks for any ideas!


--

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network
at <http://reversebeacon.net>, now
spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

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