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Author Topic: My cell phone interferes with my Sangean ATS 909X reception, anyone else too?  (Read 360 times)

MIRROWK

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Does anyone else get interference from cellphones through their Sangean ATS 909X speaker?
The interference is a loud static skuffing/scratching (crackle crackle crackle, scratch scratch scratch) when the cellphone sends it's behind the scenes background signals to the cell tower when it's not in use, perhaps once in 5/10 minutes.
The proximity of the cellphone to the radio is 6 feet distant.
Am I the only one with this problem?
Thanks in advance,
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W0CKI

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Ham radio question?
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N7EKU

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Hi,

Sounds like noise from 3G.  It's very common.

73,   Mark
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Mark -- N7EKU/VE3

MIRROWK

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Funny thing is, it happens to NO other radios I have, (from that distance, and with that level of interference) just happens to the 909X.  So I'm wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them with their Sangean ATS 909X and a cellphone, or if I was the only one this is happening to?
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GRUMPY2021

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Dusted off my 909x (can't stand that radio).   Set my phone exactly 6 feet away and spun the quirky dial most of the evening with no weirdness.   So the short answer is it must be you.  Not sure anyone can really answer that question except you.   Sounds like you've identified the problem.   Get one of those Faraday bags you see on the Youtube used car salesmen channels...you know the ones...  buy buy buy and use my affiliate link but first make sure to hit the subscribe button and the little bell and the thumbs up before we get started about the greatest thing since clean air.   
See if that solves the problem.   
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MIRROWK

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Hi GRUMPY2021,
  Thanks for performing the test for me.  I guess my copy of the radio is bad, as opposed to ALL ATS 909X's being bad.  I tried sending a text on my cellphone while in proximity to the 909X, and the background signals sent to the tower during the text also came through the radio then, so at least I can make it happen when I want to make it happen.
  This defines the situation I have as being a repair job to fix a defect in my 909X as opposed to a modification job to a working 909X to make it perform in a way that it wasn't initially designed for.
  Thanks for the info,  best regards.
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N7EKU

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Hi,

That would depend on his cell phone.  Most providers in the US have shut down 3G service and I imagine most phones won't activate that mode anymore.  Years ago we had to ban cell phones from our microscope rooms because 3G interfered with the scanning function.  At that time I had a Nokia 3G only phone and I would get that rhythmic noise on various radios everytime the phone pinged the tower.

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Mark -- N7EKU/VE3

WA3SKN

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Have you contacted Sangean about this?  Since their radio is not supposed to pick up cell phone frequencies they might be interested.

-Mike.
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MIRROWK

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Hi N7EKU,
  I tested three different model cell phones, and the noise comes through my 909X with all three, but doesn't come through through using any other radios.
  Taking GRUMPY2021's test into account, I'll go under the assumption I own a bad copy of the 909X.
  I just re-tested the radio on all 4 bands.  Cellphone interference "loud and proud" on LW, MW.  Interference is noticeable, but much more reduced on SW and easily blends into the normal SW static (except I was looking for it), and the interference NOT noticeable on FM.
  It looks like the 909X is most sensitive to the cellphone interference from it's internal ferrite AM/LW antenna.
  This is really too bad, because my 909X's reception on MW is outstanding, except for the issue with the cellphone interference.
 
Thank you,
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MIRROWK

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Have you contacted Sangean about this?  Since their radio is not supposed to pick up cell phone frequencies they might be interested.

-Mike.
  Hi WA3SKN, depends how one defines "contact"?  I sent them queries via e-mail (twice), but received no response :^(
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WA8NVW

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Does your Sangean ATS 909X receiver by chance have a Bluetooth option to support use of wireless headphones or speaker? If so, that could be a problem.  And if your phone is a 3G only model, you have near zero time remaining to use it. All of the major carriers are shutting down 3G very soon to light up their new 5G networks.
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MIRROWK

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Hi WA8NVW,
  No to the bluetooth and we already have the upgraded cellphones, but thank you for the suggestions.
I suspect I have a defective unit, as the one person who tested their cellphone against the radio didn't witness the problem I'm having.
  Best regards,
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KK4GMU

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I have the x2 latest version of the Sangean.
Three feet from my cell phone there is no interaction.
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IC-7100, RSPdx, AT-D878UVII-Plus HT, TGIF Spot

MIRROWK

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Hi KK4GMU,
  Thank you for testing your X2 version and sharing the info.  In addition to the 909X, I also have the first version of the 909 (DX-398 flavor), and there is no interference through that radio from the cellphone(s).
  My 909X radio, bought new, made this sound from "day one", but back then I hadn't figured out the noises I was hearing were coming from and due to the proximity of a cellphone.
  I'll have to assume the problem is with my particular unit (as opposed to all 909X's being affected this way), and I'll open it up someday and have a look at the insides of it.  I'm thinking perhaps it has a cold solder joint in the LW/MW loopstick antenna circuit or something, but I won't know until I open it up (it's out of warranty).
Thank you again,
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