Topband: RFI Down Under

[Jim B]

>
> My 3 year old desktop computer had a psu failure so I ordered a new
> upgraded psu. It turned out to be extremely noisy on the mw band.  My son
> and I were out walking and foud an old desktop computer that was left out
> in someones front yard. We took it home and swapped the psu. Problem
> solved, the old psu is completely quiet.   Jim WA1EDN
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2020 14:16:39 +0800
> From: Phil Hartwell <vk6gx at yahoo.com>
> To: topband at contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: RFI Down Under
> Message-ID: <3fade52f-746d-75cf-b050-64f90067ce98 at yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
>
> G'day All,
>
> Several months ago I purchased a custom built PC for my shack, from a
> long established local dealer, as I had used them many times before. I
> had been prepared to build it myself, but upon investigation I found
> that the dealer could build it cheaper than I could, plus load and test
> Win 10, and provide a three year warranty, so I took the easy option.
> All seemed well and it was successfully interfaced with my new TS-890S.
> A few days later I turned on an AM radio in the shack and was horrified
> by severe RFI across the entire MF BC band. My first suspicion was a
> recently installed broad band modem/router, but that was not the
> culprit. I traced it to the new PC PSU. I tried ferrites to no avail, so
> opened up the PSU to find no RFI filtering or transient suppression
> components whatsoever, despite the PSU having a *_CE label_* on it. The
> PCB had the RFI component locations marked, but to save a few cents they
> were omitted, as the country of origin (I won't mention it, we are in
> enough trouble with them already, they are a bit sensitive to criticism,
> but you can guess), knows that the Australian regulator does not and
> cannot enforce RFI compliance due to under-funding by the federal
> government. They know they can get away with it and flood the country
> with noise generating rubbish. I doubt they would get away with it in
> Germany, due to their high standards and hopefully enforcement, but I
> imagine the majority of countries are in the same boat as Australia.
>
> Anyway, I removed the IEC socket and fitted an old "Corcom" filter and a
> varistor, which quietened the beast to my satisfaction. However, I was
> more than a bit peeved, so fired off a letter to the dealers management,
> advising them of the non compliant PSU (with a CE label), suggesting
> they cease selling such equipment and to advise the manufacturer that
> such rubbish is not acceptable. I also warned them that they might be
> liable for warranty repairs due to the susceptibility of the PSU to
> mains disturbances. A few days later a tech called me offering to
> replace the PSU, I declined saying I had fixed the problem myself, but
> reiterated my complaint, saying the regulator would take a dim view of
> such equipment. He had to agree and offered me a further extended
> warranty, free of charge, which I accepted. I doubt they will accept my
> advise, but I felt better after my rant.
>
> Is it any wonder that HF operation is becoming increasingly difficult or
> impossible in urban areas? I'm lucky to live in an RF quiet rural area,
> so to preserve that I closely inspect any new equipment my gadget
> addicted XYL brings home! Apart from seasonal QRN, I hear very well on
> Top Band, it's frustrating, as I know many others can't hear me, not
> just because of QRN, but due to their high, local, man made noise level.
> A very sad state of affairs. I dread the proliferation of cordless
> charging devices and electric vehicle cordless charging, could be game
> over!
>
> GL and 73, Phil VK6GX.
>
>
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