Radio Interferance

[SJD]

I have a Blueskysea BW1 dashcam, which is working well, however when running it causes a lot of static on the radio. Has anyone else had this problem and, if so, were you able to resolve it?

 

[DT MI]

Over the years this subject has come up a number of times. Use the 'search' feature of the site (upper right on the menu bar above) and you'll find many threads on the subject. Usually it's caused by the power supply and can sometimes be resolved by just rerouting cables - but every installation is different so it becomes a matter of trial and error.

 

[SawMaster]

Some links:
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/dashcam-kills-dab-radio-reception.26456/
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/radio-interference-from-camera-mounted-in-rear-window.20620/
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/fm-interference.11958/
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/question-for-you-electronic-gurus-whoever-you-may-be.11857/

You can disregard whether it's about DAB, AM, FM, or whatever since the cause and solution is the same.

The condensed version is that very likely a cam, cable, or the HWK/PS is in close proximity to a part of the radio system, and getting distancce between those two systems will usually solve the problem. If that doesn't work some EMI shielding can be done. After that about all you can do is try another cam.

The first test to do is unplug the cam then start the car and see if the noise is the same; if so it's in the HWK/PS or cabling- if not it's in the cam.

Phil

 

[Outbacknomad]

Once you have tried all the above. Try a totally separate power supply so the camera is not connected electrically in any way to the car. It may help narrow down issues.

Higher quality properly shielded cable may help. This was an issues decades ago with RCA hi-fi cables in my car. I bought top of the range seriously expensive Van Den Hul cables, interference solved perfectly. The cables had multiple shielding.

Try a camera from a different manufacturer, maybe you can borrow one off a friend for a test, & different cable if possible, separately tested to narrow component issues.

 

[kamkar]

I also had a Van den Hul pickup for my record player, beside the Danish made Ortofon pickups i mostly used, all nested at the end of a really nice SME arm on my home made / ghetto record player.
I sank a lot of money into HIFI in the mid / late 80ties.