# Why do I get poor radio reception when my computer is on?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-poor-radio-reception-when-my-computer-is-on/325155>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 7, 2005, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-poor-radio-reception-when-my-computer-is-on/325155 "2005-10-07T06:29:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![I\_Know\_Nothing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f04885/32.png) [@I\_Know\_Nothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Know_Nothing)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-poor-radio-reception-when-my-computer-is-on/325155/1 "2005-10-07T06:29:59Z")

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I started getting really poor reception for the only radio station I listen to in my room(90.1 KERA in dallas). I finally figured it out when I turned off my (recenty built) computer when my radio was on and the reception was miraculously better. What is the relationship between my computer being on and my radio reception?

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**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-poor-radio-reception-when-my-computer-is-on/325155/2 "2005-10-07T06:45:06Z")

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> [@I\_Know\_Nothing](#):
>
> I started getting really poor reception for the only radio station I listen to in my room(90.1 KERA in dallas). I finally figured it out when I turned off my (recenty built) computer when my radio was on and the reception was miraculously better. What is the relationship between my computer being on and my radio reception?

It sounds like your computer might not meet the standards for radio interference supression.

You might try making sure the frame of the computer is grounded to the house (green) ground via the power cord. The power cord should have two flat prongs and one round prong. The round prong should connect to the frame of the computer. You might also make sure that the receptacle you are plugged into has the green safety ground connected.

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**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-poor-radio-reception-when-my-computer-is-on/325155/3 "2005-10-07T08:15:18Z")

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> [@I\_Know\_Nothing](#):
>
> What is the relationship between my computer being on and my radio reception?

Your computer contains many electronic circuits that produce RF (radio frequency) noise. Normally, the computer’s metal case prevents the RF noise from getting out of the case and causing interference. Large holes in the case or unshielded cables can provide a path for the noise to leak out of the case.

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**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-get-poor-radio-reception-when-my-computer-is-on/325155/4 "2005-10-07T15:34:59Z")

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Yeah, EMF’s annoying. I think you can get little doughnut magnets to put on the power cable to your PC that are supposed to reduce that stuff a bit.

There’s also a small chance your BIOS has an option like [‘Spread Spectrum’](http://www.buildorbuy.org/bios-ssc.html) or something, that may or may not reduce the interference.