Computer Noise Poll
tgstewart at pepco.com
tgstewart at pepco.com
Tue Jan 14 10:46:26 EST 1997
I recently assembled a new computer from parts, using an IBM P150+ (Pentium
clone) processor and discoverd to my horror that it is generating huge
amounts of RF in the ham bands, particularly on 160 meters. By huge I'm
talking about S9 +10 garbage on 160 in several places, with antennas a
couple hundred feet away and the computer/shack in the basement! By
process of elimination (ie unpluging almost everything), I've narrowed it
down to the motherboard and/or processor. My 486/66 by comparison is quiet
as a church mouse, even with the case open, and a 386DX25 is relatively
quiet as well.
So I'd like to hear from all contesters using Pentium/Pentium clone
(Cyrix/IBM) machines and let me know if you have significant interference
or not, the make/model of your motherboard, the type of processor you are
using, and clock speed.
73, Tyler K3MM
>From bhorn at netcom.com (Bruce Horn) Tue Jan 14 16:40:31 1997
From: bhorn at netcom.com (Bruce Horn) (Bruce Horn)
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 08:40:31 -0800
Subject: Contest Calendar 97.1
Message-ID: <v02140b00af00f6f49c5d@[204.212.59.34]>
CONTEST CALENDAR
January 13, 1997 Edition (97.1)
Please send corrections and additions directly to me. I will post an
updated calendar on a monthly basis. Thanks to K6ZZ, PA3BFM, VE2PIJ,
K4JRB, VE3SRE,
NL7TB and N4MIO for contest info.
An HTML version of the calendar is available on request, or the most recent
calendar may soon be found at: http://www.primenet.com/~scdxc/contestcal.html
73 de Bruce, WA7BNM (bhorn at netcom.com)
The contest calendar is divided into two sections:
1) CONTEST CALENDAR: Calendar showing dates and times of scheduled
contests.
2) CONTEST LOG SUBMITTAL DEADLINES: Deadlines and addresses for
submitting logs for contests that have
already occurred or whose deadline will pass
before the next issue of the calendar.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTEST CALENDAR:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note that you may not be able to operate during all of the total
hours of the contests listed below. Total operating time may also vary
by entry category. See individual contest rules for allowed operating
hours.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
January, 1997
North Amer. QSO Party, Phone 1800Z, Jan 18 to 0600Z, Jan 19
ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes 1900Z, Jan 18 to 0400Z, Jan 20
CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW 2200Z, Jan 24 to 1600Z, Jan 26
REF Contest, CW 0600Z, Jan 25 to 1800Z, Jan 26
UBA Contest, Phone 1300Z, Jan 25 to 1300Z, Jan 26
February 1997
Delaware QSO Party 1700Z, Feb 1 to 0500Z, Feb 2 and
1300Z, Feb 2 to 0100Z, Feb 3
North American Sprint, Phone 0000Z-0359Z, Feb 2
IDRA WW RTTY WPX Contest 0000Z, Feb 8 to 2400Z, Feb 9
Dutch PACC Contest 1200Z, Feb 8 to 1200Z, Feb 9
Asia-Pacific Sprint (CW) 1230Z-1430Z, Feb 8
YL-OM Contest, Phone 1400Z, Feb 8 to 0200Z, Feb 10
RSGB 1.8 MHz Contest, CW 2100Z, Feb 8 to 0100Z, Feb 9
North American Sprint, CW 0000Z-0359Z, Feb 9
ARRL Inter. DX Contest, CW 0000Z, Feb 15 to 2400Z, Feb 16
CQ 160-Meter Contest, Phone 2200Z, Feb 21 to 1600Z, Feb 23
North Carolina QSO Party 1200Z-2359Z, Feb 22 and
1200-2359Z, Feb 23
REF Contest, SSB 0600Z, Feb 22 to 1800Z, Feb 23
UBA Contest, CW 1300Z, Feb 22 to 1300Z, Feb 23
YL-OM Contest, CW 1400Z, Feb 22 to 0200Z, Feb 24
RSGB 7 MHz DX Contest, CW 1500Z, Feb 22 to 0900Z, Feb 23
March 1997
ARRL Inter. DX Contest, Phone 0000Z, Mar 1 to 2400Z, Mar 2
RSGB Commonwealth Contest,CW 1200Z, Mar 8 to 1200Z, Mar 9
Wisconsin QSO Party 1800Z, Mar 9 to 0100Z, Mar 10
Bermuda Contest 0001Z, Mar 15 to 2400Z, Mar 16
BARTG WW RTTY Contest 0200Z, Mar 15 to 0200Z, Mar 17
Russian DX Contest 1200Z, Mar 15 to 1200Z, Mar 16
Virginia QSO Party 1800Z, Mar 15 to 0500Z, Mar 16 and
1100Z, Mar 16 to 0200Z, Mar 17
Alaska QSO Party 0000Z, Mar 22 to 2400Z, Mar 23
CQWW WPX Contest, Phone 0000Z, Mar 29 to 2400Z, Mar 30
April 1997
SP DX Contest, CW 1500Z, Apr 5 to 2300Z, Apr 6
EA RTTY Contest 1600Z, Apr 5 to 1600Z, Apr 6
Holyland DX Contest 1800Z, Apr 5 to 1800Z, Apr 6
Japan Int.DX Contest, 20-10m 2300Z, Apr 11 to 2300Z, Apr 13
UBA HF 80m Contest 0700Z-1100Z, Apr 13
ARRL 144-MHz Spring Sprint 1900-2300 local, Apr 14
YU DX Contest 1200Z, Apr 19 to 1200Z, Apr 20
SP DX RTTY Contest 1200Z, Apr 19 to 2400Z, Apr 20
EU Spring Sprint, SSB 1500Z-1859Z, Apr 19
ARRL 222-MHz Spring Sprint 1900-2300 local, Apr 22
Hevetia Contest 1300Z, Apr 26 to 1300Z, Apr 27
Ontario QSO Party 1800Z, Apr 26 to 1800Z, Apr 27
ARRL 432-MHz Spring Sprint 1900-2300 local, Apr 30
May 1997
Texas QSO Party 1400Z, May 3 to 2200Z, May 4
ARI International DX Contest 2000Z, May 3 to 2000Z, May 4
FISTS CW Club Spring Sprint 1700Z-2100Z, May 10
ARRL 902/1296/2304 Sprg Sprnt 1900-2300 local, May 10
EU Spring Sprint, CW 1500Z-1859Z, May 17
ARRL 50-MHz Spring Sprint 2300Z, May 17 to 0300Z, May 18
CQ WW WPX Contest, CW 0000Z, May 24 to 2400Z, May 25
June 1997
IARU Reg 1 Field Day, CW 1500Z, Jun 7 to 1500Z, Jun 8
TOEC WW Grid Contest, SSB 1200Z, Jun 14 to 1200Z, Jun 15
Asia-Pacific Sprint (SSB) 1230Z-1430Z, Jun 14
ARRL June VHF QSO Party 1800Z, Jun 14 to 0300Z, Jun 16
All Asian DX Contest, CW 0000Z, Jun 21 to 2400Z, Jun 22
SMIRK QSO Party 0000Z, Jun 21 to 2400Z, Jun 22
ARRL Field Day 1800Z, Jun 28 to 2100Z, Jun 29
July 1997
RAC Canada Day Contest 0000Z-2400Z, Jul 1
Venezuelan Ind.Day Contest,SSB 0000Z, Jul 5 to 2400Z, Jul 6
IARU HF World Championship 1200Z, Jul 12 to 1200Z, Jul 13
CQ Worldwide VHF Contest 1800Z, Jul 12 to 2100Z, Jul 13
Colombian Indep. Contest 0000Z-2400Z, Jul 19
SEANET WW DX Contest, CW 0001Z, Jul 19 to 2359Z, Jul 20
South Pacific 160m Contest 0500Z-2359Z, Jul 19
Venezuelan Ind.Day Contest,CW 0000Z, Jul 26 to 2400Z, Jul 27
IOTA Contest 1200Z, Jul 26 to 1200Z, Jul 27
August 1997
European HF Championship 1000Z-2200Z, Aug 2
North Amer. QSO Party, CW 1800Z, Aug 2 to 0600Z, Aug 3
ARRL UHF Contest 1800Z, Aug 2 to 1800Z, Aug 3
WAE DX Contest, CW 0000Z, Aug 9 to 2400Z, Aug 10
SARTG WW RTTY Contest 0000Z, Aug 16 to 1600Z, Aug 17
SEANET WW DX Contest, SSB 0000Z, Aug 16 to 2359Z, Aug 17
Keyman's Club of Japan Contest 1200Z, Aug 16 to 1200Z, Aug 17
W/VE Islands Contest 1700Z, Aug 16 to 2300Z, Aug 17
North Amer. QSO Party, Phone 1800Z, Aug 16 to 0600Z, Aug 17
ARRL 10 GHz Cumul. Contest 0800-2000 local time, Aug 17 and Aug 18
TOEC WW Grid Contest, CW 1200Z, Aug 30 to 1200Z, Aug 31
September 1997
All Asian DX Contest, SSB 0000Z, Sep 6 to 2400Z, Sep 7
IARU Reg 1 Field Day, SSB 1500Z, Sep 6 to 1500Z, Sep 7
North American Sprint, CW 0000Z-0359Z, Sep 7
WAE DX Contest, SSB 0000Z, Sep 13 to 2400Z, Sep 14
ARRL September VHF QSO Party 1800Z, Sep 13 to 0300Z, Sep 15
North American Sprint, Phone 0000Z-0359Z, Sep 14
Washington State Salmon Run 1200Z, Sep 20 to 0700Z, Sep 21 and
1200Z-2400Z, Sep 21
ARRL 10 GHz Cumul. Contest 0800-2000 local time, Sep 20 and Sep 21
Scandinavian Act. Contest, CW 1500Z, Sep 20 to 1800Z, Sep 21
CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY 0000Z, Sep 27 to 2400Z, Sep 28
Scandinavian Act. Contest, SSB 1500Z, Sep 27 to 1800Z, Sep 28
October 1997
VK/ZL/Oceania Contest, Phone 1000Z, Oct 4 to 1000Z, Oct 5
EU Autumn Sprint, SSB 1500Z-1859Z, Oct 4
California QSO Party 1600Z, Oct 4 to 2200Z, Oct 5
RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest, SSB 0700Z-1900Z, Oct 5
VK/ZL/Oceania Contest, CW 1000Z, Oct 11 to 1000Z, Oct 12
EU Autumn Sprint, CW 1500Z-1859Z, Oct 11
Pennsylvania QSO Party 1600Z-2400Z, Oct 11 and 0000Z-0500Z and
1300Z-2200Z, Oct 12
JARTS WW RTTY Contest 0000Z, Oct 18 to 2400Z, Oct 19
QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party, CW 1200Z, Oct 18 to 2400Z, Oct 19
Asia-Pacific Sprint (CW) 1230Z-1430Z, Oct 18
Worked All Germany Contest 1500Z, Oct 18 to 1500Z, Oct 19
RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest, CW 0700Z-1900Z, Oct 19
CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB 0000Z, Oct 25 to 2400Z, Oct 26
November 1997
Ukranian DX Contest 1200Z, Nov 1 to 1200Z, Nov 2
ARRL Sweepstakes, CW 2100Z, Nov 1 to 0300Z, Nov 3
High Speed Club CW Contest 0900Z-1100Z and 1500Z-1700Z, Nov 2
Japan Int.DX Contest, Phone 2300Z, Nov 7 to 2300Z, Nov 9
WAE DX Contest, RTTY 0000Z, Nov 8 to 2400Z, Nov 9
RSGB 1.8 MHz Contest, CW 2100Z, Nov 15 to 0100Z, Nov 16
ARRL Sweepstakes, Phone 2100Z, Nov 15 to 0300Z, Nov 17
CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW 0000Z, Nov 29 to 2400Z, Nov 30
December 1997
ARRL 160-Meter Contest 2200Z, Dec 5 to 1600Z, Dec 7
ARRL 10-Meter Contest 0000Z, Dec 13 to 2400Z, Dec 14
TARA RTTY Sprint 2100Z, Dec 13 to 0100Z, Dec 14
RAC Canada Winter Contest 0000Z-2400Z, Dec 28
------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of calendar section
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTEST LOG SUBMITTAL DEADLINES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please consult the individual contest rules to determine what log
documentation must be submitted (i.e. summary sheet, dupe sheets, etc.).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL 10-Meter Contest January 14, 1997
E-mail: contest at arrl.org
Mail: ARRL 10-Meter Contest
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111 USA
CQ Worldwide Contest, CW January 15, 1997
E-mail: cw at cqww.com
Mail: CQ Magazine (CQWW CW)
76 North Broadway
Hicksville, NY 11801
TARA RTTY Sprint January 25, 1997
E-mail: MRBILL1953 at aol.com
Mail: William J. Eddy, NY2U
2404 22nd Street
Troy, NY 12180-1901
Stew Perry Dist.Challenge(160) January 29, 1997
E-mail: TBDC at CONTESTING.COM
Mail: Bill Fisher, KM9P
1137 Charlie Ln.
Lilburn, GA 30247-4203 USA
RAC Canada Winter Contest January 31, 1997
E-mail: (none)
Mail: RAC Contest Committee
720 Belfast Road, Suite 217
Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z5
Canada
ARRL RTTY Roundup February 4, 1997
E-mail: contest at arrl.org
Mail: ARRL RTTY Roundup
225 Main St.
Newington, CT 06111
North Amer. QSO Party, CW February 11, 1997
E-mail: w9nq at ccis.com
Mail: Bob Selbrede, K6ZZ
6200 Natoma Ave.
Mojave, CA 93501
Midwinter Contest, CW & Phone February 11, 1997
E-mail: (none)
Mail: Midwinter Contest
P.O. Box 262
3770 AG Barneveld
Netherlands
Hunting Lions In the Air February 15, 1997
E-mail: (none)
Mail: Contest Committee
Lions Club Flen
P.O. Box 106
642 23 Flen
Sweden
------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of log submittal deadlines
>From broz at csn.net (John Brosnahan) Tue Jan 14 15:50:55 1997
From: broz at csn.net (John Brosnahan) (John Brosnahan)
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 09:50:55 -0600
Subject: Computer Noise Poll
Message-ID: <199701141649.AA18094 at ns-1.csn.net>
Tyler, here is a copy of a recent message I sent to Carlos - PY1CAS
and my experience on a number of computers is that the new power
supplies are the culprit. The info may be of use to a number of contest
reflectorites so I will also post it there.
Let me know what you find out on your system. My previous postings
of similarinfo have resulted in responses confirming my analysis and
solution. And any experiences from anyone else has will be helpful.
73 John W0UN
--------------
At 06:33 AM 1/12/97 -0200, you wrote:
>I have just set up my packet station in order to operate "real" assisted in
the ARRL CW next month. We have a gateway in Rio and I can connect AC4ET dx
cluster.
>
>However the computer is close to the shack now (of course) and
unfortunately it is generating a considerable noise on all bands.
>
>Any tips to fix this problem?
Carlos, many of the new computers are omitting the RFI filter in the
power supply that keeps the garbage from the switching mode supply
from entering the AC mains. I have had excellent results (as have others
who have taken my suggestion) in virtually eliminating the interference
by replacing the AC connector on the back of the power supply with an
integrated AC connector and RFI filter such as the Corcom 6EF1. The
mounting hole for the connector must be widened a few millimeters
on each side--something that can be done with a file in a minute or two.
Just make sure there is enough room behind the connector position
to clear the somewhat longer RFI filter. In one case that I made the
modification I needed to bend a capacitor out of the way.
Some power supplies have a place on the circuit board for a filter but have
eliminated the components to save some money, and have just placed
jumpers in the positions where the components had been. It would
be possible to makea new filter and add it to the exisiting location--or to
add it between the circuit board and the existing connector----but the
commercial Corcom filter is probably the best and easiest way to go.
The commerical filter has 1.0 mH coils (bifilar rated at 6 amps in series
with each side of the line. On the computer side each side of the AC line
has 2800 pF to circuit ground. On the AC mains side of the filter there
is a 9000 pF capacitor across the mains (not to ground). Just make sure
that you use capacitors that are rated to be installed across the AC
mains!
The filters are available from most US electronics suppliers for around
$10 or so, but can often be found in the surplus market for $1-$2. I used
the 3 amp version (3EF1, a little marginal) because I found some for $1.
There is also a 3EF2 and a 6EF2 that will work and may be even easier
to fit inside the power supply--their terminals come out the top/bottom
rather than the end.
If adding and AC mains RFI filter doesn't completely cure the problem then
additional RFI suppression will be needed--but in my cases (3 computers)
it eliminated the problem.
gl es 73
John W0UN
John Brosnahan
La Salle Research Corp.
24115 County Road 40
La Salle, CO 80645 USA
voice 970-284-6602
fax 970-284-0979
email broz at csn.net
>From hlserra at pwa.acusd.edu (H. L. Serra) Tue Jan 14 17:04:31 1997
From: hlserra at pwa.acusd.edu (H. L. Serra) (H. L. Serra)
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 09:04:31 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Req. Info on Eimac Tube Y-826
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9701140818.A224-0100000 at pwa.acusd.edu>
Anyone have any specs or info on an EIMAC Y-826, datecode 1984, looks
just like a 3-500Z? If so please reply directly to me and CC addressee
above. 73, Larry N6NC
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