Checking for RF interference

If you suspect a device may be causing radio frequency (RF) interference you can use your VHF radio to check.

  1. Turn off the suspect device.
  2. Tune your VHF radio to a quiet channel such as Channel 13.
  3. Adjust your radio’s Squelch control until the radio outputs audio noise.
  4. Re-adjust your radio’s Squelch control until the audio is quiet, only slightly above the noise threshold.
  5. Turn on the suspect device.

    • If the radio’s audio noise increases then the device is causing RF interference.

    • If there is no change in the radio’s audio noise then the device is not causing RF interference.

Note

If RF interference is present then it is likely that both VHF and AIS reception are being degraded by the device.