Coax Noise Filters
The Problem:
Common mode current induced by radiated sources (plasma TV, routers, computers, transmitters, etc.) can be picked up by the outside of the coax braid from the antenna feed point back to the receiver. This portion of the coax braid acts like a second receiving antenna, picking up common mode noise signals that combine with weak signals (traveling down the center conductor and inside of the coax braid) making it difficult or impossible to hear weak signals! See diagram below.
The Solution:
A coax common mode noise filter with high choking impedance at the receiver/transceiver end of the coax effectively reduces common mode noise present on the coax braid while passing desired signals present on the coax center conductor. For best results, and to reduce co-interference between choked and un-choked feed lines with multiple antennas, EACH antenna feed line entering the radio room needs to have a coax noise filter even if it feeds a common coax switch since most antenna switches ONLY switch the center conductor of the coax line, yet all the coax braids are ALWAYS connected together in parallel.So when an antenna is NOT SELECTED, its coax sheath still contributes to the noise level of the connected antenna through the common connector ground!
The solution? A common mode noise filter with high choking impedance at the receiver end of the coax.
Do you have common mode noise on your coax?
Make this simple test to find out.
- Remove the coax connector and measure the noise level.
- Now insert the coax connector CENTER CONDUCTOR ONLY into the SO-239 antenna input and measure the noise level (it should be higher and include possible signals)
- Now connect the OUTER SHELL of the coax connector to the antenna input and measure the noise level.If it is higher you have common mode noise and the common mode noise filter will help suppress this noise which is carried on the outside of the coax braid (acting as a second receive antenna).
Common mode noise suppression with the Palomar CMNF series of filters is typically 25-36 dB which is equivalent to 4-6 “S” units on radios with 6 dB/”S” unit or may be more on radios with 3dB/”S” unit.
Note for antenna switch users, perform the above test on each antenna coax lead separately to determine if that particular antenna braid is contributing noise to the receiver – use a coax noise filter on the antennas that have common mode noise.
Coax Common Mode Noise Test (pdf)
SLIP-ON FERRITE BEADS
Baluns are used to connect balanced antennas to unbalanced transmission lines (Coaxial cable) and Ununs are used to connect unbalanced transmission lines to unbalanced transmission lines or unbalanced antennas (e.g. verticals). In the case of 1:1 baluns the input is usually an unbalanced coax cable and the output load is a two terminal balanced load like an antenna. Ununs are also called line isolators, feed line chokes, and 1:1 coaxial baluns (incorrectly). 1:1 Baluns and ununs stop common mode currents (flowing on the outside of the coax braid due to skin effect) when they are located at the antenna feedpoint. They can also be used as “line isolators/chokes” anywhere along the cable to suppress flow of induced RF (antenna near field radiation and neighborhood noise pickup) which helps suppress RFI into the radio receiver/transmitter. For best results, put one at the antenna feed point connection, and one at the radio room entrance, and for difficult common mode current cases, one every 1/4 wavelength along the antenna feed line. For low (below 3 MHz) frequencies, use two 5 bead baluns in series to double the choking impedance or order the 10 bead or 15 bead version for higher choking power.