CB Radio Interference

usa591 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 20, 2015 6:34 pm

Hi everybody,

I recently installed a CB radio in my rig, and I am getting some interference that rises and falls with the engine RPMs. Since there are no spark plugs, I am wondering where it is coming from. It is a distinctive tap tap tap sound that matches the engine RPMs. Is it from the fuel pump? Currently the radio is connected directly to the battery and I don't have the negative side grounded on the chassis.

I also have a Ham Radio that is connected to the battery in the same fashion, and I don't have any interference issues with that.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 20, 2015 7:14 pm

My guess is that the interference is coming from the alternator.
It's the only thing that makes sense.

That or it's a problem with your radio set.

usa591 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 21, 2015 3:03 am

flash7210 wrote:

My guess is that the interference is coming from the alternator.
It's the only thing that makes sense.

True.

I will ground it in a different way at some point and report back. Ground the radio, that it. Don't think I'll switch out the alternator just yet.

synthetic-oil · **Joined:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:03 pm **Posts:** 142

You have either a ground loop problem or a RFI problem. One way to narrow it down would be disconnect the antenna physically from the radio. If the problem goes away, it's a ground loop problem, If it stays, it's a RFI problem.

usa591 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 22, 2015 1:51 am

synthetic-oil wrote:

You have either a ground loop problem or a RFI problem. One way to narrow it down would be disconnect the antenna physically from the radio. If the problem goes away, it's a ground loop problem, If it stays, it's a RFI problem.

I disconnected the antenna and it went away, ergo, ground loop problem.

CB Radio Interference

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