> Doc, I have two laptops I use for ham radio purposes: a Mac iBook 900 and an
> older Dell Latitude 300 (runs Windows 98). Although my Mac is online via a
> portable satellite internet system (Hughes ne Direcway), both it and the
> satellite modem can be RF noisy on some HF bands, so I often have to put the
> Mac to sleep and turn the modem off although my Mac's primary ham radio
> purpose is to watch for DX spots. The Dell, however is RF quiet (it is never
> online, so the modem may be disregarded), is used exclusively for HF digital
> modes (PSK-31, WinLink 2000) and DX logging.
>
> Both laptops are within 6" of my Kenwood TS-2000 and 18" from my Kenwood
> TM-261. I hear absolutely no RFI/EMI from either laptop on the 2m rig. My
> TS-2000 while transmitting does not seem to affect either computer.
>
> I do not know if newer Dells or Macs generate RFI/EMI. I suppose the use to
> which the computer will be applied will matter to a significant degree and
> whether or not it will be connected to a transceiver for digital or control
> purposes or will be used for non-ham activities (e.g., standard email or web
> browsing). Given my druthers, I greatly prefer Macs, but Mac ham radio
> applications are more costly than Windows and there's the occasional EMI
> factor.
>
> Both laptops operate directly off 12vdc sources via DC to DC converters
> (respective DC power supplies; no inverters involved which themselves are RF
> noisy), plug into cigarette lighter-type plugs.
>
> 73 de Fred K2FRD
Thank you for that report Fred.
You said you used a dc-dc converter, so the native
voltage for the Dell is something other than 12vdc?
Perhaps 16 or 19 or 24 vdc or something?
Some of the dc-dc converters can be rf noisy as well.
Are you using the Dell dc-dc adapter or some other
brand?
--
Thanks! & 73, doc kd4e http://bibleseven.com
Ham Links: http://bibleseven.com/hl.html
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