# I'm Hearing Things More and More **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 14, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787 "2007-07-14T20:36:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/1 "2007-07-14T20:36:18Z")
What I’ve been hearing sounds like a snippet of Morse code followed by two bursts of static. If I were to attempt to phoneticize it, the result would be something like this:da dit da da dit da da dit da da da da buzzzzzz buzzzzzzI started hearing this some time ago while talking on a landline phone (particularly the phone at work). Then I began to hear it during cell phone conversations. Generally the person on the other line was unaware of anything. Today I heard it (faintly) over my car stereo when it was muted in a drive-through line. I’ve tried to come up with some rational explanation for this. What I have so far:[ul] [li][Flight 33](http://www.tv.com/the-twilight-zone/the-odyssey-of-flight-33/episode/12638/summary.html) looking for a place to land;[/li][li][\*]Someone who doesn’t know Morse very well, still trapped in the Marconi room of the _Titanic_;[/li][li]Secret messages from our new [insert peril here] overlords (whom I, of course, welcome);[/li][li]A sign that my tinfoil hat needs a tuneup;[/li][li]A further indication — as if one is needed — that I’m losing my marbles;[/li][li]Otherwise harmless interference from a perfectly ordinary communications network (perhaps a cellular system).[/li][/ul]Admittedly, that last one is a touch farfetched; but whatever the cause, the experience with the car stereo today was the last straw. So I decided it was time to throw myself upon the mercy of the Dope. Any guesses? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/2 "2007-07-14T20:40:19Z")
That’s weird. Only because my cubicle-mate’s radio does the same thing. Random times, not on a regular basis, but at least twice a week there’ll be what sounds like morse code and static coming through instead of oldies. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the reason for it is… ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/3 "2007-07-14T20:49:57Z")
It’s most likely a rogue group of Italian monks based in Petra, Jordan, but with cells world-wide, communicating with each other. They’re called “I Custodi.” Rumor has it, they control several big-time governments, including Israel and some former Soviet states. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/4 "2007-07-14T20:52:42Z")
Is it like the sound that comes out when a cell phone transmission comes through a speaker? It sounds kind of like it. Does this noise come up when you happen to get a phone call? As a matter of fact, I bet you dollars to donuts that this is it. Try moving the cell phone right next to the speaker and see if it gets more frequent or louder. ---
**Author:** ![supernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@supernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/5 "2007-07-14T20:54:08Z")
It’s interference from a cell phone thats receiving a text or a call, or just checking in with its cell phone overlord. I hear it all the time when I put my cell under the computer speakers “…da dit da da dit da da dit da da da da buzzzzzz buzzzzzz…” ---
**Author:** ![supernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@supernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/6 "2007-07-14T20:56:17Z")
Damn. I should have said it was \Rio\ by \Duran Duran\. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/7 "2007-07-14T22:36:52Z")
Alternatively, [Tinnitus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus). ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/8 "2007-07-14T23:19:23Z")
[QUOTE=tomndebb] Alternatively, [Tinnitus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus). [/QUOTE] …which can be caused by ‘ **Rio** ’ by **Duran Duran**. :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2007, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/9 "2007-07-14T23:54:25Z")
[QUOTE=Count Blucher] …which can be caused by ‘ **Rio** ’ by **Duran Duran**. :eek: 😃 [/QUOTE] …and also by the tintinnabulation of the bells bells bells bells bells. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/10 "2007-07-15T00:45:08Z")
Develop a strong likeing for 3-in-1 oil lately? Feel romantic for your toaster? ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/11 "2007-07-15T02:09:11Z")
Are you sure you [made your AFDB](http://zapatopi.net/afdb/build.html) right? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/12 "2007-07-15T02:36:54Z")
[QUOTE=OttoDaFe] Flight 33 looking for a place to land [/QUOTE] Say hi to Sandy Kenyon. I love that guy. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/13 "2007-07-15T04:32:13Z")
. . . and a voice is heard saying, “d’oh!” [QUOTE=supernaut] It’s interference from a cell phone thats receiving a text or a call, or just checking in with its cell phone overlord. I hear it all the time when I put my cell under the computer speakers “…da dit da da dit da da dit da da da da buzzzzzz buzzzzzz…” [/QUOTE] This makes absolute sense, given the fact that my cell phone was on the car charger (and thus in one of the cup holders, about three inches from the radio). And I’m not surprised that it would check in with the mothership periodically. The downside would seem to be that there’s no way to prevent the intrusion short of turning the phone off, which kind of defeats the purpose. So it’s just a minor inconvenience, part of the small price we must pay to live in the Age of Wonders. [QUOTE=wonderlust] Are you sure you [made your AFDB](http://zapatopi.net/afdb/build.html) right? [/QUOTE] Sorry, I use the [Pressman’s Hat](http://www.rny.com/fun/presshat.html) technique. ---
**Author:** ![Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/14 "2007-07-15T10:39:20Z")
[QUOTE=OttoDaFe] da dit da da dit da da dit da da da da I’ve tried to come up with some rational explanation for this. What I have so far: QUOTE] What you are hearing is the song “Da Da Da” by the group [Trio](http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~govind/trio.html). There is no cause for alarm, however this tune may be triggered when encountering Volkswagen vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/15 "2007-07-15T11:35:57Z")
Hm, precurser signal and a burst transmission? The precurser signal is always a snippet of morse and there can be various statics of the burst transmission depending on what they are sending. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/16 "2007-07-15T13:54:45Z")
Plugged Eustacian Tubes in your ears? My sinus do this, & cause me to wake up at 3AM, hearing the _dammedest_ things. Try antihistamines, or even better, go to an MD. ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/17 "2007-07-15T14:18:51Z")
Definitely cell phone interference. When I first heard it, it was through my computer speakers, and I though it was some kind of weird thing with my computer that was causing it. But then I started hearing it on _other_ speakers – like at (what was then) Radio Shack and realized, “Hey, it’s not just me!” so I asked on a local board (which was pre-Dope for me) and got my answer. Now I can tell when it’s just a passing signal, as it tends to be shorter: dit…dit…dit dit…dit…dit dit…dit…dit dit…dit. When it’s coming to my cell phone though, it does the extended version: dit…dit…dit dit…dit…dit dit…dit…dit dit…dit…dit dizzzzZzzzZzzzZzzzZzzz [phone rings] It annoys my wife because she’ll sometimes try and bug me by calling my cell while I’m wearing headphones at the computer, and I can always hear the cell tower pinging my phone before it rings, so I give her _the look_ before my phone even rings. She doesn’t do it anymore. 🙂 It’s directional, too. If the antenna for my phone (well, it’s internal, so the top of my phone) is pointed away from the speakers, I won’t hear the interference. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/18 "2007-07-16T04:43:32Z")
Since this thread appears to be headed to a (well-deserved) demise, I’d like to take this opportunity\* to thank everyone who responded. Even if the answer wasn’t as exotic as I’d been hoping. Good night, drive carefully, and don’t forget to tip your waiter. \*Can I just say that this is the first time I’ve been on television? ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/19 "2007-07-16T11:29:11Z")
Just to add - this sort of interference seems to be specific to GSM cell phones - I certainly never had it with a non-GSM phone. I have to turn my cell off if I am playing my guitar - the noise seems to punch straight into the pickups, and thence into the effects loop. Not a great idea. Si ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787/20 "2007-07-16T11:46:20Z")
BOM bom-da BOM bom-da BOM bom-da BOMMMMMM ::ring ring:: Yup, it’s GSM and it’s prevalent everywhere in the UK. Even to the point of cropping up on radio interviews when the interviewee/er has their cellphone turned on. Particularly bad on things like PDA phones where there’s regular data updating going on. Makes me wonder about how much radiation my head absorbs when I’m using my phone. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-hearing-things-more-and-more/411787.md?page=2)