Fact: It is very unlikely anyone flying a mile away is adversely affecting
anyone at your field, irregardless of the frequency. Remember...the receiver
would need to see on-frequency RF that is equal or greater from the offending
transmitter to gain control.
There are many things that can create/eminate EMI/RFI that "could" cause
extended loss of control. Your scanner I would bet shows the duration and
magnitude of the offending signal in relation to nearby operating transmitters,
and across how many channels. Something nearby "might" be emitting enough
energy to cause a loss of control.
If you can see the interference on your scanner (hopefully it is a useable
scanner that has a visual display), then you can do some experimenting.
I have been asked by clubs across the province to investigate suspected EMI/RFI
over the last 10 years using sophisticated equipment that will log programmed
events for an extended period of time, in the majority of cases there is
nothing of merit.
I have discovered the following (in no particular order):
- 3IM from nearby fencing, metallic objects, and offending TX's
- splatter from offending TX's where the end-user has changed the XTAL without
getting the system retuned (TX requires tuning...not the RX).
- broadband EMI/RFI from electrical transformers, powerlines, power stations,
generators, etc.
- countless discoveries that adequately explained the problem as "user induced".
It would take time I do not have to explain adequately how to utilize a hand-
held scanner to determine the likelyhood of extraneous EMI/RFI and possible
sources, so to facilitate I would be willing to discuss by phone. Email me
offline if you like...
Quoting John Erickson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
> We've has a couple of club members lose planes recently from interference.
> We have a scanner on the field. It shows a channel is on (sporadically)
> although all our pins/radios are accounted for. We suspect another flyer
> about a mile away but we've yet to find him. There are both houses and an
> industrial complex nearby. I know they do some robotics in the industrial
> area.
>
> I know just enough about a radio to get myself into trouble, but I had a
> thought. When you are flying near someone who is on the same channel, you
> usually have a "gray area" where you start to lose control of the plane.
> The common next move is to run towards the plane in hopes of getting it
> back. Many times as you get closer you can get control back.
>
> Would it be possible to start your flight with reduced range (3/4 signal
> strength) and then flip to full strength in an emergency? Better yet, a way
> to boost signal strength? If I don't understand what is happening with
> interference between two radios on the same channel, take it easy on me :-0
>
> JE
> --
> Erickson Architects
> John R. Erickson, AIA
>
>
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