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stuart macrae
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« on: 15:50:57, 30-11-2007 » |
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I've noticed these strange little noises coming from my computer speakers every few minutes, and have just twigged that it's the buses stopping at the bus stop below my window! Anyone (I'm looking at you, Bryn  ) know what's causing it? |
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IgnorantRockFan
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« Reply #1 on: 16:14:50, 30-11-2007 » |
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Our old stereo used to do something similar whenever a taxi parked in the street. I think it's to do with interference from their radios. (No, I don't know how to stop it, short of putting a faraday cage around your house.)
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Allegro, ma non tanto
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Bryn
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« Reply #2 on: 16:16:30, 30-11-2007 » |
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I've noticed these strange little noises coming from my computer speakers every few minutes, and have just twigged that it's the buses stopping at the bus stop below my window! Anyone (I'm looking at you, Bryn ) know what's causing it? There's a lot of microchips buzzing away in buses these days, stuart. The anti-locking system for the brakes is full of 'em. I don't know the specifics but something in your laptop (and my mp3 players) picks up and rectifies the radio frequencies generated by these microchips as they process the data during braking, etc. I get the same annoying problems on trains. It's a bit like the damned interferrence you get form mobile 'phones if they are in close proximity to just about anything with a speaker in, or headphones attached to, it. I hasten to add that I only use the mp3 player and/or laptop when travelling as a passenger on a bus, NOT while driving. |
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Ron Dough
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« Reply #3 on: 16:18:40, 30-11-2007 » |
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RFI, Stuart, almost certainly: Radio Frequency Interference. I'm assuming that the Strathclyde bus system is using GPS plus extras for bus-stop info (surely they must if the tin-pot Strathtay can): this means that they'll be beaming several frequencies of radio signal, and as bad luck would have it one of them (or a harmonic component) is affecting something in the circuitry. If the stop weren't so close, you'd probably have no problem, the interference wouldn't stay long enough to be noticeable. Possible solutions; i) Move. ii) Sabotage the Bus Company until they re-route the service. iii) Get a bus timetable and ensure your listening is conducted in between stops. iv) See if moving the speakers helps, or, if they're add-ons, try and borrow some different ones, to see if that makes a difference. PS. I'm getting intriguing sounds out of my speakers right now. Is it a bus? No, but I'm expecting you to be able to answer the question. (Later explanation: the postscript alludes to the fact that R3 happened to be playing Stuart's Violin Concerto as I was replying, rather than me demanding a technical query quid pro quo, as might first appear.) |
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« Last Edit: 16:33:36, 30-11-2007 by Ron Dough »
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Bryn
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« Reply #4 on: 16:27:39, 30-11-2007 » |
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Our old stereo used to do something similar whenever a taxi parked in the street. I think it's to do with interference from their radios. (No, I don't know how to stop it, short of putting a faraday cage around your house.)
Don't talk to me about taxis! I used to live next door to a mini-cab firm in Finsbury Park. Their messages were for ever breaking though into my hifi, television, etc. Even where I live now, the neighbours a few doors away are frequent mini-cab users, and until I re-cabled the whole system, the down-feeds from the aerials mounted on the chinmey I would lose the picture and sound from the television whenever a cab arrived or left. Ron, GPS? You must be joking. No self-respecting bus company would spash out on that. Coach firms maybe. With all the road-work between here and London (frequent late evening closures of the M4 especially) the First have still not provided their Greenline coaches/buses with GPS. |
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« Last Edit: 16:31:10, 30-11-2007 by Bryn »
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Ron Dough
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« Reply #5 on: 16:39:03, 30-11-2007 » |
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No, Bryn. I'm not joking at all: our local bus company has it fitted to every bus and coach they operate.
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Martin
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« Reply #6 on: 16:46:54, 30-11-2007 » |
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Just a thought, but I often find that if my mobile phone is too close to my speakers it can cause just the sort of interference you describe. It happens with several radios in the house, too, sometimes even if the mobile is in my pocket.
It might be worth checking that your phone is not causing the disruption, e.g by switching it off for a while.
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stuart macrae
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« Reply #8 on: 17:10:52, 30-11-2007 » |
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Hmmmm indeed Ron! I don't think the route my house is on has any bus-stop info - certainly not at the stops outside the house - but that doesn't stop the bus sending out the signal! The speaker system in question is a pretty crappy Dell 5.1 add-on system, but I've been thinking of upgrading to some proper active (stereo) monitors. That probably won't solve the interference problem (which is quite bearable anyway) but will vastly improve my use of the computer for music apps.  PS. I'm getting intriguing sounds out of my speakers right now. Is it a bus? No, but I'm expecting you to be able to answer the question. (Later explanation: the postscript alludes to the fact that R3 happened to be playing Stuart's Violin Concerto as I was replying, rather than me demanding a technical query quid pro quo, as might first appear.) It's always funny when someone tells me they heard something of mine on the radio, as I'm usually not aware it's on! Anyway, nice to know they're broadcasting it again (and I'll look forward to the royalties, which could well mean me buying myself a new guitar!) |
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Bryn
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« Reply #9 on: 17:25:15, 30-11-2007 » |
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No, Bryn. I'm not joking at all: our local bus company has it fitted to every bus and coach they operate.
No self-respect, some bus companies, it appears. However, I am pretty sure computer controlled braking systems are likely to be the culprit. Next time you are on a fairly modern train, and using an mp3 player, etc., check it out. There is a fair chance that you will hear the interference whenever the brakes are applied. Re. mobile 'phone interference, there is a little discussion currently under way here. |
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Ron Dough
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« Reply #10 on: 19:07:48, 30-11-2007 » |
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Further info on RFI, Stuart (and Bryn). All service buses in Scotland are in the process of being fitted with ERG ticket machines, which are also using GPS technology. It's a Scottish Parliament requirement, related to the free travel for the over-60s policy: every concessionary fare under this scheme is transmitted to a central location, so that the subsidies for each company can be accurately assessed. Furthermore, information regarding bus location is available to the companies, and even little details such as the changing of fare stages can be performed automatically, thus sparing the drivers extra hassle. Not every company has this running on all services yet, but once the machines are installed, they'll already be transmitting, and thus potentially interfering.
(Info. courtesy of TGWU/Unite local chairman, who just happens to be the frequently mentioned Dode.)
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richard barrett
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« Reply #11 on: 19:25:44, 30-11-2007 » |
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every concessionary fare under this scheme is transmitted to a central location, so that the subsidies for each company can be accurately assessed. I would imagine that a more efficient way of managing this might be to have all the buses run by the same company. (Call me old-fashioned.) |
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Antheil
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« Reply #12 on: 19:38:40, 30-11-2007 » |
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Further info on RFI, Stuart (and Bryn). All service buses in Scotland are in the process of being fitted with ERG ticket machines, which are also using GPS technology.
Update on my local buses, the automatic door opening/closing failed so the driver had to manually wrench them apart yesterday at every stop! If the ticket operating module is not functioning, why you just pay the next day! Wonderful service I must say. Brilliant drivers, love 'em. |
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Reality, sa molesworth 2, is so sordid it makes me shudder
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Ron Dough
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« Reply #13 on: 19:55:30, 30-11-2007 » |
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I would imagine that a more efficient way of managing this might be to have all the buses run by the same company. (Call me old-fashioned.)
Let alone the railways, r. Next week two of the three companies which serve this area lose their franchises: GNER and Virgin Cross-Country. And the other one, Scotrail, has already changed hands within the two years I've been here. How much money which could be invested straight into the infrastructure will instead go to pay for new logos, liveries and uniforms - all the paraphernalia which are part of the new corporate image? Our bus company has been swallowed up by a huge one too... Best not get me started on that.... |
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Bryn
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« Reply #14 on: 19:58:12, 30-11-2007 » |
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every concessionary fare under this scheme is transmitted to a central location, so that the subsidies for each company can be accurately assessed. I would imagine that a more efficient way of managing this might be to have all the buses run by the same company. (Call me old-fashioned.) I have a funny feeling that Moir Lockhead would agree with you there, RIchard, though possibly not for quite the reasons behind your thinking. |
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