# How can I stop my speakers from picking up radio signals?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-my-speakers-from-picking-up-radio-signals/125846>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 27, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-my-speakers-from-picking-up-radio-signals/125846 "2002-08-27T23:40:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-my-speakers-from-picking-up-radio-signals/125846/1 "2002-08-27T23:40:58Z")

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The speakers that I have attached to my computer receive radio signals. It’s very wierd, and bothersome. The signals play regardless of the volume of the speakers, although they don’t play when they (the speakers) are off. I’ve tried moving the wires, speakers, etc. Frequently, a move will make the signal go away for a few seconds, until it is re-acquired. Can anyone help me?

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**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-my-speakers-from-picking-up-radio-signals/125846/2 "2002-08-28T00:32:31Z")

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Do the speakers have their own power supply? If so, plug them into a different outlet or even better, a UPS.

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**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-my-speakers-from-picking-up-radio-signals/125846/3 "2002-08-28T00:44:14Z")

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You may also have a loose card in your machine. My loose but still working NIC card wasn’t pushed in all the way, which caused reverb in my speakers.

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**Author:** ![n5tp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@n5tp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/n5tp)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-stop-my-speakers-from-picking-up-radio-signals/125846/4 "2002-08-28T01:49:23Z")

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This should do it:

Go to Radio Shack and buy a package of two P/N 273-104 Snap-On Filter Chokes. See:

> **[RadioShack.com Official Site - America's Technology Store](https://www.radioshack.com/?catalog_name=CTLG&category_name=CTLG_010_004_013_000&product_id=273-104)**
>
> The Shack Is Back! Shop Radios, Headphones, TV Antennas, Cables & Adapters, DIY Tools & Parts, Electronics Maker Kits, and much more brand new arrivals daily! Don't forget to visit any of our 450+ RadioShack locations across America!

Put one on each speaker line. Wind the wire around the core at least a couple of turns and snap it together.

Use more if you have more than two speakers.