Due to the nature of HF bands, electromagnetic interference (also called EMI, Radio Frequency Interference, and RFI) is every 11m DXer’s worst nightmare. EMI refers to electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by electrical circuits carrying rapidly changing signals, as a by-product of their normal operation, and which causes unwanted signals (interference or noise) to be induced in other circuits. It is usually caused unintentionally, as a result of spurious emissions and responses, intermodulation products, and the like, and, as you all know, this interrupts limits the effective performance of other circuits.

The WiNRADiO ERD-1500 Electromagnetic Radiation Detector is an exceptionally efficient ‘RF Sniffer’ developed to quickly and reliably locate sources of electromagnetic interference. The detector contains a miniature wide-band antenna with a quality amplifier and high-performance Schottky barrier detection diodes for maximum sensitivity.

The detector features optical (LED) and acoustic (piezo speaker) indication.
The brightness of the indicator LED and the pitch of the audible tone will increase proportionally with the strength of the detected signal, making it simple and easy to locate the interference source. The ERD-1500 covers a frequency range approximately 50 Hz to 1500 MHz, with a typical sensitivity of 25µV/cm (500 MHz, far field setting).

Power is supplied by two 12V batteries. The sliding switch on the side of the unit has three positions: off (middle position), high sensitivity (far field) and low sensitivity (near field).

The WiNRADiO ERD-1500 Electromagnetic Radiation Detector is ideally suited for the following applications:

* Tracing sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI)
* Surveillance countermeasures (detection of ‘bugs’)
* EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) pre-testing
* Quick safety radiation check of transmitters and appliances
* Installation and set-up of computer-based radio monitoring systems
* One of the typical applications of the ERD-1500 is to locate sources of electromagnetic interference.

Light dimmers are known sources of interference, owing to their use of solid-state switching circuits. Some brands are worse offenders than others. A faulty dimmer such as the one shown here may turn into a wide-band interference generator causing considerable degradation of radio and TV reception.

The sales of bugging devices are booming and there is overwhelming evidence of their wide-spread use. You can never be sure until you bug-sweep your premises with an ERD-1500!

Surveillance countermeasures is yet another important application of this unit. Miniature transmitting devices may be hidden in many objects of daily use. Thanks to its wide frequency range, sensitivity and fast response time, the ERD-1500 can be successfully used to locate most types of bugging devices.
Technical Specifications

Type Wide-band untuned radio receiver
Frequency range Approx. 50 Hz to 1500 MHz
Typical sensitivity 25µV/cm (at 500 MHz, far field setting)
Power 2 x 12V battery (A23, MN21 or GP23A)
Indication Power: Green LED
Signal: Red LED and audible tone
Size 75 x 50 x 25 mm (3 x 2 x 1 in)
Weight 61 grams (2.2 oz)

Oz Gear in Brisbane currently lists the WiNRADiO ERD-1500 Electromagnetic Radiation Detector at $99.00.

73

Darren
43SD054/43FR010
Admin Team
11m DX Activities Oz