[CQ-Contest] Dimmer Switch RFI

[Jim Brown]

Thanks for posting the spectrum, Scott.  With your permission, I'd like 
to add it to my collection, and probably a presentation.

When you pull the old dimmer out, please pay careful attention to how 
it's wired, whether the green wire is connected, and try to get an exact 
model number for it.

Also exact model number for the replacement dimmer. Is it one intended 
for use with LED lighting?

73, Jim K9YC

On Fri,12/2/2016 1:38 PM, K9MA wrote:
> Here's what the spectum of a Lutron dimmer switch looks like:
>
>
> http://sdellington.us/hr/RFI161127.jpg
>
>
> There's a long tail upward in frequency for perhaps 70 kHz. Repeats 
> every 96 kHz, and it's quite stable.  That quiet range is only 20-30 
> kHz, but I was somewhat lucky last weekend that one fell at the low 
> end of 20.  The sharp cutoff made it easy to identify with a handheld 
> receiver.  I mistook it for a switching power supply, but that's sort 
> of what it is, anyway.  I can see many similar, but weaker, signals 
> with the same sort of spectrum, no doubt devices of other neighbors in 
> my urban neighborhood. (Some of these others are switching at 
> different frequencies, coming from different directions, etc.)
>
> I bought the neighbors a replacement dimmer (Levitron), but we'll see 
> if that solves the problem.  As others have pointed out, it could be 
> mis-wiring or the LED lamps themselves.
>
> 73,
>
> Scott  K9MA
>