Samples of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)

additional information on RFI can be found on our Radio Telescope-Observing page

Natural Interference

Lightning strikes produce radio frequency interference over a broad range of frequencies. Interference from lightning discharges can be heard long distances from the storms that generate them. Because of this, RFI from lightning is very common, especially during prime thunderstorm season in your region of the World.

* IMPORTANT * Anytime that a lightning storm is near your area, please immediately disconnect your antenna from the receiver until the storm passes. Lightning can damage your receiver and your computer as well as other household appliances.

• Lightning Crashes (Click on the speaker to play the audio sample.)

Digital High-Frequency Communications

Many services, such as news organizations, governmental agencies, and commercial ventures have data communications links that use the high-frequency (shortwave) portion of the radio spectrum. Some of these operate near the frequencies covered by the Radio JOVE receiver.

Local Interference

Nearby electrical and mechanical devices can cause radio interference that will be picked up by a Radio JOVE receiver. Failing power line transformers, building ventilation equipment, and fluorescent lighting are just a few of the sources of such interference.

• Local Interference (Click on the speaker to play the audio sample.)

•   Power Line Interference

Radio Broadcast Stations

The high-frequency (shortwave) radio spectrum is used for long-distance radio broadcasting. You may occasionally hear foreign or religious stations with the Radio JOVE receiver. The sample below is from the NIST time and frequency standard station, WWV, broadcasting at 20 MHz.

• WWV (Click on the speaker to play the audio sample.)