Radio Station Interference on Partner ACS?

[jokermia]

I've got a customer who's right next door to a radio station, and they're getting interference on their ACS System. I've never heard of this, but one of our techs remembers something like it happening on a few jobs he did years ago, and he thought there was a filter you could connect that might help.

Anyone got any ideas? Also, for my own knowledge, how would the radio station cause crosstalk/etc. on a phone system? Thanks in advance!

 

[SYQUEST]

Is the radio station AM or FM?

Is this a new installation?

Has the RFI always been there, or now it is worse or did it just start?

RFI can be very elusive, and tracking it down can be easy or very difficult. It can enter the system at all kinds of locations or points. The first thing I would recommend is: READ all the Partner documentation paying attention to installation and wiring practices. Proper GROUNDING/BONDING is very important. Make sure it is solid and done right! Eliminate any extraneous or unused wiring jumpers or connections to the system.

Does it happen on all phones/lines? You will need to try all the combinations to identify which phones/lines have the RFI and try to isolate the problem. Use the process of elimination to identify the various points it may be entering the system. In order to trap the RFI you may need to add FERRITE core filters in line on the AC cord, line cords, etc. Worst case would be something like a Faraday cage over the ACS control unit.

Anything that can act like an antenna probably will! You should also contact the chief engineer of the radio station to see what he/she may be able to offer.

As far as crosstalk is concerned, if the crosstalk is the radio transmission, then that would be caused by the RFI from the radio station. But there could be bad wiring conditions that can cause any or all of the above too...

Good luck! Keep us updated.

....JIM....

 

[Dexman]

Sometimes something like a coiled handset cord can act as an antenna.

If it ain't broke, I haven't fixed it yet.

 

[mforrence]

I think Mike Sandman sells handset cord widgets specifically designed to battle this issue. Hardest part is tracking how it gets in...
Mike

 

[jinxs]

Here is a whole article on everything that was stated above:

http://www.sandman.com/rfbull.html

. I had an issue where all the Partner Phones were picking up CB noise and we had to use the handset filters as mforrence had said. I also had issues with RF on the incoming lines and need RF filters on the Line. I also had an issue where only one phone in a warehouse had RF noise and we had to run a shielded cable to that one phone to correct the issue. Like Jim had said, you need to figure out the root of the issue and resolve.

A.J. Wiesner
AT&D Communications

 

[jokermia]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies - I'll be taking them to my tech and customer, and hopefully we'll get this thing solved. Thanks again to all - updates to follow...