Willravel

I recently switched over to AT&T and got an iPhone. I charge it on my desk, next to my computer and Bose Companion 2 speakers. Whenever there is data transfer out of the phone, the speakers have tones that sound like really fast morse code. The speakers are shielded, but the only way I can find to fix it is to move the phone away from the speakers.

Has anyone else has this happen to them? Any idea about why it happens with AT&T but not other companies like Verizon? Could it be they operate in different frequencies?

Craven Morehead

I've got that also with my RAZR, also on AT&T. I think its due to GSM, the communications standard that AT&T uses, unlike Verizon which is TDMA or CDMA, one of the two.

ubertuber

It's GSM interference. It happens in my car because I carry my phone in the pocket which is near the center console where my iPod wiring runs.

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Willravel

I found that putting it on airplane mode prevents it.

Boy, this is kinda inconvenient. I have to move my phone across the room when I'm writing music on my computer otherwise it buzzes my headphones.

allaboutmusic

Shielded cable?

canuckguy

Will, i have this problem too. It happens on my headset I use at my office too.

Only solution seems to try and keep the phone away from the cables...not very helpful...

Willravel

Yeah, I've plugged in my charger on the opposite side of the room (from my computer and speakers). That does seem to help, but it's inconvenient.

I went to Radio Shack and got shielded cables for my computer speakers, but they don't seem to prevent the tones at all. So far the tone has been picked up by my computer speakers, my TV, my stereo (near the receiver), and my headphones, which suggests that there may not be a way around this besides simple proximity.

Jinn

Yea it's electromagnetic interference from your phone, which, as nicely stated above, is because you're on AT&T. They use a different (better, imo) transmission technology, but it does come with a downside.

The only real solution is to move it away - any self-amplifying speakers (or headphones) are going to do this. It's not the cable, it's the amplification property of the speakers themselves. Getting a standalone amplifier might help, but you'd have to get speakers that didn't do it themselves (higher end).

EDIT: Found a link that you might like, courtesy the geeks at Slashdot:
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/04/07/2111217

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Willravel

That was my conclusion, too. When the phone is near my amplifier (the one hooked up to my DVD, Satellite, etc.) the speakers have the tone, which does suggest that it's the amp, not the speakers proper, that respond to the EM interference.

So really the only solution is moving the phone away from any sound amplifying device, be it inside computer speakers or be it an amp for your stereo.

Jinn

There always seems to be a sweet spot on your desk, somewhere.. I'd just move it around until you find a good spot on the desk and always put it there... has worked for me, and I'm at a computer 9-11 hours a day with a GSM phone. Mine happens to be 6 inches on a diagonal, obscured by a coffee cup and the side of my tower..

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"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

LoganSnake

It's what happens with pretty much all phones that are near speakers. I've owned 4 GSM phones and they have all had a morse code like effect on my speakers (computer and home theater).

AT&T.

It's so common, that some artists use that sound in their tracks.

Fun fact: when you drive a car in GTA4 and your phone rings, sometimes you will hear the same interference sound. Pay it no mind, it's just how GSM band operates.

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ratbastid

I'm posting this from my new iPod touch. Tilted works pretty well in this size, doesn't it?

Willravel

I'll probably use the internet more on the phone once it becomes 3G.

Jinn

I read this thread on my ATT Tilt, 3G / HSDPA, when I went to poop. The only thing I hate is how big the avatars become relative to the screen.

It made a lot more sense for me than the iPhone, especially since I get a corporate discount through AT&T.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-pho...sku=sku1060009

__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

Martian

There's a part of me that wants to say this is your karmic punishment for being a slave to trends and buying an iPhone. That part of me is probably just jealous that my CDMA carrier won't be getting them, though.

This is a useless post.

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Willravel

It's actually really useful for me (a Mac user). It syncs up with the applications I already use.

catback

Sounds like some has never had nextel. Nextel phones are notorious for speaker interference noises, actually when the phone is near a speaker or in a car you can tell when the phone is about to ring just by the interference.

The proper fix remedy is...there isn't one it's just a fact of life with electro-magnetic signals and devices attempting to co-exist together. Now you know why there are FCC labels on wireless devices stating that the "device must be able to handle interference"....and not blow up or something

tisonlyi

When the 3G version arrives (you camp out for 6 weeks ahead of it's release, catch pneumonia and die rather than lose your place in the queue), all your buzzing and clicking problems will vanish.

;o)

The solution in the meantime is to shield the amp-bearing speaker or amp itself in a Faraday cage arrangement. Death to RF interference, death to GSM-Clickbuzz.

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Willravel

Perfect.