Question about cell phone and computer.........

[CathyA]

Just curious......sometimes when I'm on the computer and my cell phone is near, I can hear cell phone transmission noises on my computer speaker, without sending or receiving a call. How come?

(I know someone is going to say it has something to do with the NSA). haha

[SteveinMN]

Your cell phone has a radio in it, so it is generating a signal to get to the tower through which you are communicating. The computer speaker is designed to translate electrical impulses into audible sound. If the speaker manufacturer hasn't shielded the speaker from stray sources of signals like that, you'll hear those signals in addition to what it's supposed to play back. Speakers have done this long before the NSA got into the act. :)

[CathyA]

So it doesn't matter that I'm not sending or receiving calls/texts when I hear that noise? Its just picking up on stray radio waves?

[Alan]

How do you know it's the cell phone causing the interference?

[CathyA]

I guess I don't. But sometimes when I hear that noise on the computer speaker, a call or a text immediately follows it.

[SteveinMN]

I suspect the noise may be coincident. Is this a smartphone? Many smartphones "poll" for location and services; there's a fair amount of traffic that goes on behind the scenes on smartphones.

[CathyA]

No, actually, its a challenged phone. haha I got this phone about 10+ years ago! My family can't believe I don't want more. Actually, I wouldn't mind having a somewhat smarter phone. :) I would like to see the weather coming when I'm out, and have gps, and be able to take pictures and..........and............and..... :)

[SteveinMN]

Well, I still vote for radio-frequency interference as the cause of what you're hearing.

Your response, though, makes me think of something I've been meaning to post for a few days... in another forum here.

[Alan]

I agree that it's RF interference on an improperly shielded speaker wire. Although I wouldn't narrow the source solely to the cell phone, especially if it isn't broadcasting/receiving at the time of the interference. There are lots of other things that could be doing it, such as a microwave oven, a ham radio, wireless router, airplane, emergency services radio, etc.

[CathyA]

Thanks guys.
Speaking of old cell phones..........we still have our first. Its HUGE. The phone is about 8" long and 3" wide and then the antenna is about 5". I was going to get rid of it, but its too funny to not keep. It used to take up about half my purse.