iphone/radio interference?

A forum for the proverbial airport bum who just wants to talk about anything and everything related to flying. Introduce yourself here !!

Post Reply
User avatar
painless
Class C
Posts: 701
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 12:42 pm
Location: Peshtigo, Wisconsin

iphone/radio interference?

Post by painless »

I just got an iphone for Xmas. I have on occasion noticed a studdering type of radio interference in my Suburban when I have my phone with me.

Today I flew with my iphone in my pocket and noticed this same type of studdering interference coming through the intercom. It was not continuous though. You could tell when it started and stopped quite clearly. Almost like it was a radio transmission. All radio transmissions and receptions were normal otherwise. I was doing touch and goes and this interference seemed to happen just as I got maybe 200ft in the air on takeoff.

Of course in the heat of the moment I did not think to turn the phone off to see if it made a difference.....DOH!

Anyone else have this happen to you?
Jeff Orear
RV6A N782P
Hatz Classic, Welding fuselage
Hatz build log. https://eaabuilderslog.org/?blproject&p ... GNCwv&sid=
Peshtigo, WI

User avatar
bullojm1
Chief Rivet Banger
Posts: 1361
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 6:37 pm
Location: KDMW
Contact:

Post by bullojm1 »

Jeff,

With my AT&T Blackberry I find when the phone is in 1G coverage (EDGE) it interferes with my stereo, alarm clock and most anything with a speaker. When the phone is in 3G mode it interferes much less.
Mike Bullock
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!

Spike
Chief Rivet Banger
Posts: 4013
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:40 pm
Location: Baltimore, MD
Contact:

Post by Spike »

Its the phone talking on air. That is a standard type interference that many phones put out. I am an audio tech at our church and hear this type of thing frequently. The best thing to do is turn the phone off or get it farther away from your audio equipment.

-- Spike
http://www.rivetbangers.com - Now integrating web and mail!
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl

User avatar
painless
Class C
Posts: 701
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 12:42 pm
Location: Peshtigo, Wisconsin

Post by painless »

Mike:

Yup, it was in "edge" mode.

Spike:

I'll try leaving it off next time. Just wish I had thought of that today. :bang:

Thanks Guys. At first I thought I had something wrong with my radios/audio panel. :o
Jeff Orear
RV6A N782P
Hatz Classic, Welding fuselage
Hatz build log. https://eaabuilderslog.org/?blproject&p ... GNCwv&sid=
Peshtigo, WI

User avatar
4kilo
RB's First
Posts: 227
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 10:32 am
Location: GPM (Grand Prairie, Texas)
Contact:

Post by 4kilo »

Now you know why the airline crews hate it so much when passengers leave the things on.

Pat
RV-8
N804PT - IO-360, Hartzell blended airfoil, GRT dual Horizon I & EIS, TruTrak ADI Pilot II
Flying - 950 hours!

User avatar
painless
Class C
Posts: 701
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 12:42 pm
Location: Peshtigo, Wisconsin

Post by painless »

Pat, that brings up a question. Will this interference be eliminated if I put the phone in "airplane mode"?
Jeff Orear
RV6A N782P
Hatz Classic, Welding fuselage
Hatz build log. https://eaabuilderslog.org/?blproject&p ... GNCwv&sid=
Peshtigo, WI

User avatar
Wicked Stick
Class B
Posts: 1000
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:00 pm
Location: KEWB

Post by Wicked Stick »

painless wrote:Pat, that brings up a question. Will this interference be eliminated if I put the phone in "airplane mode"?
Yes it will get rid of it in airplane mode.
My Razor used to do the same thing, only worse.
The iPhone is not as bad, but will still do it.

I always try to place my iphone in airplane mode when I fly.

I was wondering why "edge" was always slower than 3G... never knew it was 1G speed. I hate how slow that is. Can't wait for the 4G :).
Dave "WS" Rogers
RV-8 (125 hrs & counting)
N173DR

User avatar
smithhb
Class D
Posts: 365
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2004 7:28 pm
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Contact:

Phones and RV's

Post by smithhb »

Since I started flying my -9 this past May, I have learned a lesson I would like to share.

I now "turn off" my phone before take-off when making a long cross-country flight. Otherwise, as you fly, your phone will convert to constant "roaming" mode which drains the battery.
Bret Smith
9A Flying (N16BL)
Blue Ridge, GA
http://www.FlightInnovations.com
APRS Tracking: http://www.flightinnovations.com/tracking.html

Post Reply