An annoying problem

I run streaming audio on this computer all day. My wife has pointed out a very annoying sound. It is a morse code series of dots and dashes that takes place about every 10 min. in a very raspy sound. I do not notice it unless I am listening with earphone as I do at night while she is watching the tube. Any ideas as to what it might be? I am using XP. I did not notice it in Windows 98

<A bit later> I just noticed that the rasping morse code is there even if I am not streamind audio or have any programs open at all. It must be the machine itself.

 

It could actually be Morse code from some nearby amatuer radio operator. Take a look around your neighborhood for any unusual rooftop antennas that might give you a clue as to the origin of your signals.

One thing to try, pull the phone line from the modem when you are hearing that signal, just to see if it's coming in through the phone line. If so, your local phone provider will place a filter on the incoming line for you and cure the problem.

Another thing to help narrow it down is, try it with the speakers as versus the headset and see it it makes a difference. I think you implied it was on both but you need to be sure. If your wife has better hearing than you, have her judge any comparisons. (My wife hears stuff I can't even detect at all) Any clues like that will be helpful in nailing it down.

Normally amateur transmissions don't cause any problems unless there is a faulty component in either the amateurs transmitter or your computer shielding is inadequate. Since computers are required by law to be well shielded, it's not likely your fault.

Sometimes amateur operators are guilty of overdriving their equipment and this can cause spurious radiations on frequencies completely unrelated to their fundamental operating frequency. This can only be cured by notifying the operator and calling it to his attention. Most amateurs are very willing to work with you to solve issues of this sort.

I'm not insisting that it's an amateur signal but that sounds like a good place to start. I hold an amateur advanced class license and will be glad to use any experience I have had to help you if it turns out to be related to this area.

Good luck.

BTW, if the interference is only present when you are using one particular program or site, then it's not likely related to RFI and is most likely a problem within the site data or your software.

 

Zephyr
This appears to be the same sequence of notes. It is very short and not in a normal cw sound. It sounds to me like an identifying ID of some kind. I do not get this on the other Computer. In fact I never heard this on this machine until I installed XP

 

My first thought was that it might be a VOR ... VHF Omni-directional Range (airways navigation beacon) identifier, as they radiate in the frequency band immediately above commercial FM. But, they identify themselves about every thirty seconds, which would seem to rule out one of them as a possibility.

We might be able to nail it down if you write down the sequence and tell us what it is.

Jim

 

I found it!

I have installed on my computer a program called weather bug. It loads on start up. I turned on and off various programs on the computer, and that was it. As soona as I returned it I heard the series of beeps. It must report in ocassionally. Thanks all I appreciate the efforts.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Who would have thought? Your powers of detection/divide and detect worked and this post may serve to inform some other poor soul.

You should report your problem to Weather bug. They would no doubt be interested since it's their bread and butter at stake.