Re: X-10 RF home automation being overwhelmed by M2 OFF, C2 OFF and Gxx DIM signals

[Art Todesco <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 9/26/2011 6:08 AM, Robert Green wrote:
> A quick (for me!) followup, so please forgive the top post.  Interference
> was off for a week after Labor day but is now back on again full force.
> Just stopped at 5AM.  Distributed 6 TM751's located proximate to most
> important RF switch controls as their effective range bathed in interference
> is about 6 feet.  No collisions with each other because except for a few
> spots, each TM751 is in a non-contiguous sphere.  Does NOT work with the WGL
> transceiver active, too.  Collision city.
>
> Two kinds of X-10 interference in this case.  One is plain old noise, the
> other is noise that the X-10 receivers believe is an actual X-10
> transmission.
>
> I haven't yet "run down" the noise because a) I am lazy and b) IMHO, it's
> not a solution if it depends on something or someone external to my house
> doing something.
>
> All in all it's been an interesting study in how low power gear like X-10 RF
> acts when receiving "undesired" interference (is it ever desirable?").  Now
> I'm going to see if I can put those TM751's on lamp or appliance modules to
> switch between the WGL global network or the array of TM751's.  There might
> be some very strong benefits to being able to disable RF control, room by
> room.  X-10. Forever futzing. (-:
>
> --
> Bobby G.
>
>
Bobby G.:
I'm sure you've tried this; shutting off all but one circuit breaker in
the house and see if the noise goes away.  I have been reading this
thread from the beginning, but I don't remember now.  The reason I bring
this up now is that I recently bought a new LCD/LED TV and the RF remote
on my Dish DVR started working intermittently and then it stopped
working all together.  I found that the TV was emitting a whole bunch of
EMI and apparently jamming the input on the DVR.  It was intermittent as
I was moving around various stereo and TV components, including a small
FM audio transmitter.  I initially thought it was the transmitter
because when shut off, things seemed to get better.  The remotes finally
quit working all together when I finally got the components where I
wanted them, even without the FM transmitter.  I fixed it by removing
the remote control receive antenna on the DVR and connecting a coax
cable instead and then, reconnected the antenna at the other end of the
cable, some 25' away and in the basement.  This took care of my problem,
but it show how a new TV can be splattering stuff all over the place.  I
honestly don't know how the TV could pass FCC Part 15 requirements.
BTW, have you contacted the guy recommended by HR Hofmann?  Bob is very
knowledgeable about EMC and I'm sure the guy he mentioned has similar
credentials.  It would be fun to use an RF spectrum analyzer and antenna
in and around your house ... and in my house too, especially with the
new TV.