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Interference location process
- Gain detailed information from affected parties as to the nature of the interference such as:
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what time(s) it occurs
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what frequencies are affected
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when did it start
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which geographical area is affected
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what does it sound like or look like
- does it happen in certain weather conditions
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Determine how the operation affected service is being impaired. Gain knowledge of the way the affected service operates (system configuration) as this will assist understand how the interference is affecting the wanted service and hence the likely nature of the interference.
- e.g. for systems such as linked voting systems there may be several possible points of entry for the interference.
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Where possible change the affected equipment to ensure the equipment is not the source of the interference.
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Determine if poor installation practices are contributing to the interference.
- e.g. For land mobile sites; is the configuration in accordance with industry standards e.g. “AS 3516.2-1998 – Part 2: Guidelines for fixed, mobile and broadcasting services operating at frequencies above 30 MHz”
- Conduct measurements of the incoming interference to determine:
- levels
- modulation characteristics
- direction
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Revisit your original information and follow up on relevant information as required. Ask others in the industry as appropriate. If necessary, request further information from the affected parties so you can be certain of your understanding of the affected system and the interference mechanism before proceeding with the problem.
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Follow up on prioritised leads.
We advise you to never prejudge a case as the unlikely is often found to be the source.
Interference location techniques are divided into domestic and commercial and in turn discussed in terms of wide and narrow band interference location techniques. There is much in common between domestic and commercial interference tracing techniques.
