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[RFI] RF into home alarm system

To: rfi@contesting.com
Subject: [RFI] RF into home alarm system
From: W5JR Mike <w5jr.lists@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2015 21:35:08 -0400
List-post: <rfi@contesting.com">mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
As the subject line says. 

For the past two years, I've not caused any issue to our home alarm system. The 
typical 4 wire JK style wire run all over the house. Lots of doors and windows. 
And 13 smoke detectors. I run 1.5 kw, 160 to 10 (less on 30m) and nary a peep. 

Last eve, wanting to play a bit in the Pre-Stew on 160m, but as yet not having 
my 160 antenna repaired, I was able to get the tuner to find a match on the 80m 
OCF. Even with just 100w, folks were answering my CQ's. I'm sure there was lots 
of stray RF floating around. 

My wife came rushing over to the shack in a panic. It turned out the alarm was 
in full on,  every annunciator sounding simultaneously. Fire, intrusion - one 
big mess. I knew there wasn't a fire as the control panel told me there was a 
fault condition. Nothing on the control panel would clear it. Only by removing 
all power was I able to cleared it. 

Now that I've prepped you with the setup, the question is if anyone has had to 
tame their alarm system to reduce its RF susceptibility and what steps did you 
do to get there?

I don't expect the installer to have any useful input, nor the manufacturer, 
but they may have dealt with this for a neighbor to a ham. 

I'm anticipating the recommended solution will be lots of Mix 31. Can I wind 
all or several of the wires together on donuts? Am I better off using  one on 
each wire (yes, still multiple turns)? Would adding bypass caps be of any 
value? 

tnx
Mike / W5JR
Alpharetta GA
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