My speakers are picking up radio stations!

o8strider8o · o8strider8o #1 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 11:58 AM

Okay so I have external speakers plugged into my macbook, and they're picking up radio stations and playing them out. It's very quiet but I can't leave the speakers on or you can hear it when you don't have itunes going. is there any way to stop this?

Noels · Noels #2 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 12:23 PM

o8strider8o,

Other than turning your speakers off, I don't think so... the speakers apparently aren't sufficiently shielded from outside rf signals and that's why you're getting the radio stations. It's a function of your proximity to the stations and their signal strength.

You could try your Sound Preferences and turn the Line-in input down some and see how that affects the signals...

Noel

o8strider8o · o8strider8o #3 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 02:38 PM

Is there any way to shield them with say... aluminum foil or something on the back or is that the worst idea ever?

PowerBookG4 · PowerBookG4 #4 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 02:54 PM

you could always buy wire shielding for the cables, I don't know how expensive it is though.

http://www.acsindustries.com/product...g/default.html

o8strider8o · o8strider8o #5 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 03:56 PM

I'm trying to avoid money. is there a quick fix?

y-guy · y-guy #6 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 04:09 PM

Might try a Ground-Loop Isolator, but I' not sure its going to solve your problem. What speakers do you have?

o8strider8o · o8strider8o #7 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 04:35 PM

i have Cyber Acoustics CA2015 2.0 Computer Speakers

walkerj · walkerj #8 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 05:09 PM

According to The Unofficial Apple Weblog you can use a Red Bull can (or in your case, most probably several Red Bull cans) to shield electronics from radio interference.

Of course, most any can, such as a US$.59 can of RC Cola would work. But whatever floats the boat.

o8strider8o · o8strider8o #9 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 07:47 PM

would i put them around just the speakers?

cwa107 · cwa107 #10 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o8strider8o

Okay so I have external speakers plugged into my macbook, and they're picking up radio stations and playing them out. It's very quiet but I can't leave the speakers on or you can hear it when you don't have itunes going. is there any way to stop this?

I had an old pair of Radio Shack external speakers that did that as well. Apparently, they weren't very well shielded. Just swapping them out for a better pair of speakers did the trick in my case.

Lucion · Lucion #11 (**permalink**)

06-28-2008, 08:58 PM

My cell phone causes my cheap ($20) computer speakers to go absolutely crazy if I use it near the computer. The only thing I found that works is to turn them off. I've never had any issues with radio stations thankfully. As others mentioned, it is likely your speakers are just poorly sheilded. I know mine are!

jesadac · jesadac #12 (**permalink**)

07-02-2008, 11:39 PM

When I was still using my landline telephone, back in the day, it picked up a radio station that was about half a mile away. A telephone technician came in and installed some sort of filter that cleans up the signal. You may want to look at those little magnetic noise reducers that come on the cable on most laptop power bricks? Not sure if it's the same thing but worth a try if you have one handy.

mrarroyo · mrarroyo #13 (**permalink**)

07-03-2008, 07:08 PM

This problem happens a lot w/ unshielded electronics. First take the speaker apart and then go to the kitchen and get some aluminium foil. Use it to line the inside of the speaker enclosure. When putting it back together be very careful and make sure that the foil you installed does not act as a path for electricity, otherwise you could hurt yourself or your equipment.

PowerBookG4 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 08, 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,188 Mac Specs: Mac Pro 8x3.0ghz 12gb ram 8800GT , MBP 2.16 2GB Ram 17 inch.	06-28-2008, 02:54 PM you could always buy wire shielding for the cables, I don't know how expensive it is though. http://www.acsindustries.com/product...g/default.html My Website Blog I love my hosting company! I was on the M-F honor roll for Febuary:2006
	QUOTE Thanks

mrarroyo #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 29, 2008 Location: Miami Beach, Florida Posts: 12	07-03-2008, 07:08 PM This problem happens a lot w/ unshielded electronics. First take the speaker apart and then go to the kitchen and get some aluminium foil. Use it to line the inside of the speaker enclosure. When putting it back together be very careful and make sure that the foil you installed does not act as a path for electricity, otherwise you could hurt yourself or your equipment. Miguel
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Editing Radio Stations	Morbiato	iPod Hardware and Accessories	7	05-14-2007 11:14 AM
Radio Stations	ApeironDecay	Music, Audio, and Podcasting	1	03-29-2007 01:30 PM
Itunes Radio Stations....	DeathtoToasters	iPod Hardware and Accessories	3	02-10-2007 01:28 AM
More radio stations on iTunes (ie. Italian)?	mangoSharingan	Switcher Hangout	1	03-20-2005 08:27 PM
RealPlayer Not Playing Radio Stations	vjamacaddict	Running Windows (or anything else) on your Mac	0	07-25-2004 12:57 PM

New To Mac-Forums?

Mac-Forums Brief

My speakers are picking up radio stations!

Hosting and Cloud

Data Centers

Web Development

Performance Marketing

Consumer Tech

Interested In Great Deals on Apple Products?

o8strider8o #1 (permalink)
Member Since: May 20, 2008 Posts: 106 Mac Specs: macbook l Ipod nano 4gb l ipod classic 80 gb	06-28-2008, 11:58 AM Okay so I have external speakers plugged into my macbook, and they're picking up radio stations and playing them out. It's very quiet but I can't leave the speakers on or you can hear it when you don't have itunes going. is there any way to stop this?
	QUOTE Thanks

Noels #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 03, 2008 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 945 Mac Specs: Macbook, 2.2 GHz, 4GB RAM	06-28-2008, 12:23 PM o8strider8o, Other than turning your speakers off, I don't think so... the speakers apparently aren't sufficiently shielded from outside rf signals and that's why you're getting the radio stations. It's a function of your proximity to the stations and their signal strength. You could try your Sound Preferences and turn the Line-in input down some and see how that affects the signals... Noel
	QUOTE Thanks

o8strider8o #5 (permalink)
Member Since: May 20, 2008 Posts: 106 Mac Specs: macbook l Ipod nano 4gb l ipod classic 80 gb	06-28-2008, 03:56 PM I'm trying to avoid money. is there a quick fix?
	QUOTE Thanks

y-guy #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 133 Mac Specs: 24" iMac 2.4 - 4GB RAM, Logitech S530 Kbrd/Mouse, Logitech Z2300 Speakers	06-28-2008, 04:09 PM Might try a Ground-Loop Isolator, but I' not sure its going to solve your problem. What speakers do you have?
	QUOTE Thanks

o8strider8o #7 (permalink)
Member Since: May 20, 2008 Posts: 106 Mac Specs: macbook l Ipod nano 4gb l ipod classic 80 gb	06-28-2008, 04:35 PM i have Cyber Acoustics CA2015 2.0 Computer Speakers
	QUOTE Thanks

walkerj #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 13, 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA, USA Posts: 1,186 Mac Specs: 13" Macbook Pro 2.26Ghz Unibody 4G RAM 160G HDD Superdrive	06-28-2008, 05:09 PM According to The Unofficial Apple Weblog you can use a Red Bull can (or in your case, most probably several Red Bull cans) to shield electronics from radio interference. Of course, most any can, such as a US$.59 can of RC Cola would work. But whatever floats the boat.
	QUOTE Thanks

o8strider8o #9 (permalink)
Member Since: May 20, 2008 Posts: 106 Mac Specs: macbook l Ipod nano 4gb l ipod classic 80 gb	06-28-2008, 07:47 PM would i put them around just the speakers?
	QUOTE Thanks

Lucion #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 02, 2008 Posts: 66	06-28-2008, 08:58 PM My cell phone causes my cheap ($20) computer speakers to go absolutely crazy if I use it near the computer. The only thing I found that works is to turn them off. I've never had any issues with radio stations thankfully. As others mentioned, it is likely your speakers are just poorly sheilded. I know mine are!
	QUOTE Thanks

jesadac #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Thailand Posts: 19 Mac Specs: MB C2D 2.16, 3gb Ram, 250gb hd, 10.5.3	07-02-2008, 11:39 PM When I was still using my landline telephone, back in the day, it picked up a radio station that was about half a mile away. A telephone technician came in and installed some sort of filter that cleans up the signal. You may want to look at those little magnetic noise reducers that come on the cable on most laptop power bricks? Not sure if it's the same thing but worth a try if you have one handy.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)