ChrisSmolinski

Problem with massive RFI after changing router

ChrisSmolinski

September 2020

A few suggestions, you may have already tried some of them, but here goes... (I assume you have one of those integrated routers/modems)

Disconnect the coax cable and ethernet cables from the cable… (more) company router/modem, unplug the power supply from the AC, make sure the RFI completely goes away, this may sound redundant, but double checking this is really the problem.

Plug the AC power supply into the wall, but leave it disconnected from the router/modem. Does the RFI re-appear? Is it the same as before? This checks just the PSU for RFI issues.

Plug the PSU into the router/modem, leave other cables disconnected. What's the RFI like?

Plug in the coax cable for the router/modem. Again... what's the RFI like?

Start plugging in ethernet cables (not sure how many computers you have connected). Maybe plug in just one end at a time, first the router end, then the computer end. Note RFI levels. Repeat for any additional cables.

The point of all this step by step stuff is to figure out what is producing the RFI and (maybe) how it is radiating.

It is quite possible there is not one step that produces the RFI problems you see, but it is the summation of multiple sources/problems, this lets you figure out what is what.

At some point in these steps, you may even want to try something as silly as wrapping the PSU and/or modem in a giant sheet of aluminum foil (possibly connected to ground say via a piece of wire with alligator clips). Not permanently of course, but as a test. If that solves the issue, the you can think of a creative way to do that permanently while still providing enough ventilation, etc.

You can also try grounding various parts of the equipment, such as the router. And also try using shielded ethernet cables, but that only works if the stuff you're plugging the cables into actually has metallic ports. Lots of cheap stuff is all plastic, so there's nothing for the shield to connect to, it just floats, and is useless. If it's at least grounded on one end, that may help.

Another suggestion... you (generally) do not need to use the cable company's garbage (there are lots of reasons why you SHOULD NOT, beyond RFI). I use my own modem and my own routers. You may want to do the same. It's probably cheaper to buy them yourself than trying to fix an RFI issue with lots of expensive ferrite and other stuff. Plus you won't be paying a monthly rental fee for their junky equipment that is full of security risks

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Problem with massive RFI after changing router

Possible problem with GPS on one of my KiWi's

Performance Metric

KiwiSDR Sound Client - update

S meter extension - prevent clearing? [fixed in v1.318]