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)
Generator RFI testimonial:
Bob Received your order in a timely fashion. Tried the generator kit on Sunday & it drops the noise from S9 to S5 and took out all the electrical noise. I may want some more toroids from you at some point for other interference problems I have here. Ken VE3KCY
Using an amplifier? Don’t forget our Linear Amplifier RFI Kits
Want to make up your own RFI kits for a particular operation? Here are links to some of typical RFI solutions used in portable operations:
If you use a computer for logging in your portable operations, RFI getting into computers will often lock up your computer and/or radio and a computer RFI suppression kits may be helpful
Make your expedition or portable operation a pleasant and fun outing and remember to take along your RFI kits so you have more time to operate rather then to troubleshoot intermittent or noisy receiver conditions.
Portable Antenna Kits
If you need an effective portable antenna which folds up for transport yet is easy to deploy at your operating site, consider the BULLET series of end fed wire antennas.
BULLET Antennas (click on link or picture for more info)
