[amsat-bb] RF noise from a passing-by BMW i3

[John Brier]

My Mom's Prius V definitely puts out some intermittent QRM I can hear on 2m
FM with my HT inside. I don't think it's enough to be a problem though.

I am looking to get a car and was looking at the Honda Insight which is
also a hybrid. I was planning on taking a second test drive but making the
salesperson drive it so I could tune around on the HT and check for
interference. Was also thinking of taking an SDR and laptop which would be
easier and more effective but I don't have one currently. That would
probably be their most unusual test drive but I'm sure they would
accommodate it since they want your money.

Now I'm thinking of getting a regular used car so I'm not as worried. But
I've definitely been passed by regular cars with my mobile on in the past
and gotten wiped out. It makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with their
car or how I'd deal with it if it was mine!

73, John Brier KG4AKV

On Tue, Jul 9, 2019, 00:25 STeve Andre' via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
wrote:

>
>
> On 7/8/19 6:16 PM, Zach Metzinger via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> >
> > For those of you considering operating around electric vehicles, beware
> > of the copious noise emitted by the BMW i3.
> >
> > I was sitting in a parking lot, engine off, operating mobile on 10m
> > during the recent band openings. Rather abruptly, the band's noise floor
> > increased to mid-scale on the S-meter. I briefly wondered if propagation
> > had suddenly changed, and then I noticed a BMW i3 pass behind me and
> > leave the lot.
> >
> > The noise left as well... I was back to a nice quiet band floor.
> >
> > I didn't have time to switch over to 2m/70cm SSB and see how far up the
> > racket extended.
> >
> > I stumbled across an article relating much of the same, today.
> >
> >
> https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1098893_bmw-i3-electric-car-quirk-no-am-radio--but-why
> >
> >
> > So, save the planet or save the spectrum. Perhaps not both at the same
> > time? :-)
> >
> > --- Zach
> > N0ZGO
>
> Along these lines, I need a new car.  My Sonata has 404K miles and I
> would like to replace it before it dies.
>
> I'm really looking at the Prius Prime +.  Does anyone know if this emits
> obnoxious things, and how radio-friendly it is, overall?
>
> Thanks!
>
> --STeve Andre'
> wb8wsf  en72
>
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