Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
Complete Control by URC Forum - View Post
Previous section Next section Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

Login:
Pass:
 
 

Topic:
Sudden, new & massive RF interference
This thread has 8 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Tuesday January 16, 2024 at 22:49
CZ Eddie
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2009
81
There are 100 threads about tackling RF interference.
I've already started reading some of them.
So, my thread isn't about asking how to fix RF intereference.

Instead, I want to know what sort of things would cause brand new, sudden and massive RF interference?
I've had my setup going on for several years now without any RF interference.

There is nothing new about my setup.
But tonight, I was fixing some URC code setup stuff.
And my area is going through an unusual deep freeze weather-wise.
Those are the only two anomalies.

Suddenly, my RF went all to hell.
One second I was making progress on fixing some codes.
And the next, my RF indicator light was going full blast, non-stop.

I broke out my spare MRF-350 and RFX sensor and walked around the house, plugging it into various wall outlets to check locations in the house.
Every single square inch of my house is suddenly flooded with RF.
I've never had this issue before and there is no new equipment or electronics or anything.

At ~6:59PM today it was fine.
And suddenly at ~7PM all RF hell broke loose.

I've un-powered all my computer & home theatre equipment but still had the problem.
In a day or two when it gets warmer, I'll shut off all the breakers on the power panel to test.

Edit: personal user, not a pro. This is my home setup
Post 2 made on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at 01:56
Brad Humphrey
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2004
2,649
Your idea of going thru the breakers 1 by 1 is an excellent way to narrow down the source (if it's local). Obviously if you turn the main breaker off and you still have interference, then the source is outside of your walls.

Things that can cause interference.... pretty much anything!
When caps go bad in equipment, the device may seem to still operate fine but the cap was filtering RF noise that is now broadcasting. Also triacs can start to go bad and cause RF noise. Bad electrical connections that are arcing, can cause RF noise.

So =
Your HVAC. Lighting dimmers. Battery backups. Microwave ovens. Ceiling fans. Computers. A/V equipment. Network equipment. Fluorescent lights. LED lights. EV car chargers (including golf cart chargers).
These are all things I have seen create a ton of RF interference before. Some of these things were 'working as intended' and others had issues that was causing the problem (listed above).

Since this is something that just started. And the fact you said you walked the whole house and the interference is everywhere. You'll be looking for a very high energy emitter that has a high duty cycle. Something like your HVAC. Do you have any large chargers plugged in (like for a car, golf cart, electric mower)?
Good possibility this could also becoming from your neighbors.
Do you live near an airport? Marina?

Also, is the interference actually causing an issue with commands not getting thru from the remote? If not, not worth worrying about is it's not an actual problem.
OP | Post 3 made on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at 09:05
CZ Eddie
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2009
81
On January 17, 2024 at 01:56, Brad Humphrey said...
Since this is something that just started. And the fact you said you walked the whole house and the interference is everywhere. You'll be looking for a very high energy emitter that has a high duty cycle. Something like your HVAC. Do you have any large chargers plugged in (like for a car, golf cart, electric mower)?
Good possibility this could also becoming from your neighbors.
Do you live near an airport? Marina?

Also, is the interference actually causing an issue with commands not getting thru from the remote? If not, not worth worrying about is it's not an actual problem.

Super helpful post, thank you!

Just as suddenly as it started, it's now gone.
It abruptly started around 7PM last night and was going all the way through till I went to sleep.
But when I woke up this AM, it was gone!

The most out-of-ordinary thing near my house is a school about a mile away.
Everything else is houses, houses and more houses.

But last night was the coldest night of the year. So, I'm wondering if someone nearby kicked on a generator or something that introduced interference?

Hope it doesn't return.
OP | Post 4 made on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at 09:08
CZ Eddie
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2009
81
No large chargers or electric cars nearby.
The interference was only showing on the sensor.
I couldn't get it to show up on the MRF-350 when I put it at channel "0".
None of the remotes would work. Maybe one button press in 50 would get through. They didn't show up on the MRF-350 either.
Post 5 made on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at 16:22
punter16
Active Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2011
608
Good chance it's aliens.
See our Youtube page for info about smart homes, great audio and more.

[Link: youtube.com]
OP | Post 6 made on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at 18:06
CZ Eddie
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2009
81
lol I wish

FOUND THE PROBLEM.
Or at least, I narrowed it down to a particular device.

My URC KP-900 remote control is the culprit.
Went back to finish my programming today.
Noticed the KP-900 batteries were dead.
Replaced them.
About 15 minutes into a frustrating programming experience, I noticed that nothing was working again.

Sure enough, the RF LED on the sensor was lit up constant.

Thought about it a moment.
Pulled the batteries from the KP-900 and sure enough, the RF interference went away.

A minute later, I duplicated the same situation.

Gonna try a factory reset on the KP-900 to see if that helps.
It's a new-old-stock remote.
Post 7 made on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at 19:14
Brad Humphrey
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2004
2,649
Nice. Glad that was something simple.
OP | Post 8 made on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at 21:18
CZ Eddie
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2009
81
Weird. The factory reset and re-doing all the learned commands didn't help.
It would still "lock up" the RF somehow.

But what seems to be working is that I learned all the commands to an MX-980 and then used the Transporter function to copy those commands to the KP-900 and so far, so good.

Just taught myself the Transporter function.
It's super easy once you figure it out.
Post 9 made on Saturday February 10, 2024 at 11:30
tomciara
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2002
8,044
I’ve seen that interference twice now.

First time, a Samsung RF remote, paired to the TV, battery condition got low.  Client recharged the Samsung remote and all well.  Was sending Volume Up continuously. 😳

Second time, randomly was Volume Up again, different house.  Apple TV remote was the culprit. Recharged it and had to re-pair it.

Random.


Jump to


Protected Feature Before you can reply to a message...
You must first register for a Remote Central user account - it's fast and free! Or, if you already have an account, please login now.

Please read the following: Unsolicited commercial advertisements are absolutely not permitted on this forum. Other private buy & sell messages should be posted to our Marketplace. For information on how to advertise your service or product click here. Remote Central reserves the right to remove or modify any post that is deemed inappropriate.

Hosting Services by ipHouse