[RFI] RFI to Automobile Remote

[Bill Steffey NY9H]

  Rich Warren: Radio interference wreaks havoc in Evanston

  * By Rich Warren
  * Aug 25, 2016UpdatedJun 25, 2019
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Revisiting topics of recent columns, we discover further examples.

Concerning interference, here's a reader contribution taken from the 
website of the American Radio Relay League, a respected consortium of 
ham-radio operators, that reads like something out of "The Twilight Zone."

"Police in Evanston contacted the ARRL Lab, after an apparent 
interference source began plaguing wireless vehicle key fobs, cellphones 
and other wireless electronics. Key-fob owners could not open or start 
their vehicles remotely until their vehicles were towed at least a block 
away, nor were they able to call for help on their cellphones when 
problems occurred. The police turned to ARRL for help after striking out 
with the FCC, which told them it considered key-fob malfunctions an 
automaker problem, although the interference was affecting not just key 
fobs but cellphones — a licensed radio service.

"ARRL Lab EMC Specialist Mike Gruber feels the FCC should have paid more 
attention: 'This situation is indicative of what can happen as a result 
of insufficient FCC enforcement, especially with regard to electrical 
noise and noncompliant consumer devices.'

"Evanston authorities worried that a serious situation could develop if 
people were unable to call 911, putting public safety at risk. They also 
were concerned that the RFI (radio-frequency interference) could be 
intentional and indicate some nefarious or illegal activity. Given the 
seriousness of this situation, Gruber asked ARRL Central Division 
Director Kermit Carlson to look into the matter.

"On June 2, Carlson met with Evanston police officers, a local business 
owner, and the local alderman. He quickly confirmed that the 600 block 
of Dempster in Evanston was plagued with an odd RFI problem. Carlson 
determined that the problem prevailed along a set of eight on-street 
parallel parking spots in this commercial district of the northern 
Chicago suburb.

"Carlson surveyed the block with sophisticated equipment. Since key fobs 
typically operate at around 315 MHz and 433 MHz, he looked at both 
frequencies, identifying several noise sources in the affected block, 
but in particular a strong signal in the middle of the block.

"The interference source turned out to be a recently replaced Ventex 
Technology neon-sign switching-mode power supply, which was generating a 
substantial signal within the on-street parking area just across the 
sidewalk, between 8 and 40 feet from the sign.

"The problematic power-supply interference also disabled Carlson's 
cellphone when he was within a few feet of the device. Carlson 
anticipated that further investigation would show that the harmful 
interference could disrupt licensed radio services in close proximity. 
The troublesome transformer was not replaced, but the building owner 
agreed to turn off the sign should problems arise.

"Carlson called the Evanston case 'a particularly alarming example of 
radio interference,' especially since local authorities considered it a 
public safety matter."

Incidentally, people who unlock and start their cars with key fobs will 
notice difficulty in the center of major cities and airports because of 
powerful legal radio transmitters. In most cases, holding the key to the 
dashboard near the start button will help.

Changing to the reception side of radio, the 2017 Honda Accord I 
recently bought subjugates terrestrial AM/FM radio reception to 
Sirius/XM satellite radio reception.

Rather than including an antenna tuned for terrestrial radio, it uses 
the increasingly more common "shark's fin" antenna on the roof. It looks 
appealing to the eye, but not to terrestrial radio waves. AM reception 
deteriorates dramatically from interference.

In my previous cars, when passing under power lines, AM suffered a brief 
hum or mild burst of static. The new Honda completely loses the signal 
to a horrendous burst of noise. Also, in weak signal areas, the radio 
invokes a filter that causes the AM audio to sound very thin and tinny.

FM fringe reception is far inferior to my former Toyota Camry and my 
partner's Toyota Prius. Shame on Honda.

/Rich Warren, who lives in the Champaign area, is a longtime reviewer of 
consumer electronics. He can be emailed athifiguy at mchsi.com 
<mailto:hifiguy at mchsi.com>./



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