While trying out a DC to DC mobile laptop charger today, I discovered the VARA receive signal was getting interfered with when the charger was plugged in.
Watching the VARA vector scope, the received Willmar gateway signal looked like a shotgun pattern. Removed the charger and it was a BB, like normal.
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I assumed the PC battery would filter the charger noise, but apparently having the radio and charger on the same supply (car battery, engine running) provided a path for the noise.
The charger appears to be well made, just noisy.
If you are doing mobile VARA ops and are having trouble, it's something to check.
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73
Mike N0QBH
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N0QBH Mike Berg