2. misc-audio
  3. 194772-74445

Improve RFI

I have terrible RFI in my basement system.  The RFI indicator on the Universal Remote is always on, regardless of where I locate the sensor, and I have to revert back to using the individual remotes for AVR, Blu Ray, etc.  I also have a surround sound system on the main floor; same AVR, same universal remote, and no RFI.  
  The kitchen is on the main floor and all appliances which are usually identified with RFI are in the kitchen.  The lighting is different in the basement and the washer-dryer and firebox are in the basement.

  Everything I can pull up on RFI seems to be from the ham radio world.  They constantly point to the firebox but there doesn’t seem to be any consensus on how to deal with it.

  Any help would be appreciated 

mahler123
jea48
4,795 posts
 

@mahler123,

Are you sure it is RFI and not EMI interference? You will measure a lot of EMI in front of the breakers in the electrical panel. (metal panel door open). Especially large running loads like the outdoors central air conditioner unit, and refrigerator, and other such motor loads when running. It is normal. There is a large EM, Electromagnetic field present around the loaded breakers. 

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eurorack
61 posts
 

Identify the source of the crud before launching-in to any RF shielding or RF snubbing effort. Start with what tosnc suggests.

cleeds
6,276 posts
 

At the risk of asking a possibly really stupid question: Have you absolutely ruled out that you might have a defective universal remote? Have you tried using it in your other system?

Post removed 
mahler123 OP
3,650 posts
 

There is an RFI indicator on the relay part of the remote.  It is on constantly.  The same relay unit is in the upstairs unit and the RFI indicator is never one.

  I have switched remotes as I indicated in posts above between the 2 systems.  No change.

   The tools that I have seen for measuring RFI, in YT videos, don’t isolate the RFI to a single source.  They basically say “There is RFI in the room” and the user then has to try turning of appliances, lights, etc.  I know that I have RFI because the indicator on the unit is on, and I’ve tried all the solutions, to no avail.  So buying another tool that will inform me that I have RFI isn’t in the cards.

  

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