Ham radio does not typically interfere with WiFi since they use different frequencies with WiFi using 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz and ram radio using 1.8 to 432Mhz. Even in instances of interference, the result is temporarily slowing down your WiFi but not stopping it altogether. You are more likely to have your WiFi interfere with your ham radio than the other way around.
Keep reading to learn the effects ham radio and WiFi can have on each other and some tips about how you can avoid any interference either with your WiFi or your ham radio.
Can Ham Radio Interfere with WiFi?
In most instances, ham radio and WiFi frequencies are distinct enough that you won’t have any trouble with the signals affecting each other. If you are using any wired connection, such as an Ethernet cable, you won’t see any interference. Chances are if you’re having issues with your WiFi, it isn’t because of your ham radio.
How to Prevent Ham Radio Interference with WiFi
There shouldn’t be much inference to start with, but if you want to avoid any chance of it, then the best thing you can do is get a license. It’s best practice to get a license regardless of what you want to use the ham radio for, but it will also ensure practically no interference with WiFi, TV, or phone signals.
Licensing your ham radio means that the local authorities are monitoring how you use the radio. They are responsible for maintaining clear signals and coordinating multiple radio frequencies in the same area.
How to Get a License
National governments control all licensing and permits. The requirements and privileges of the license vary depending on the country, so you will need to do some specific research. However, there are some basics for you to know and prepare for the almost all countries use as requirements and privileges.
General License Requirements
Some requirements to think about are:
- Understanding key concepts relating to electronics, radio equipment, antennas, radio propagation, RF safety, and specific radio regulation for your country.
- Scheduled examination for short answer questions or multiple choice. Some countries only hold tests once or twice a year.
- Security approval where the person acquiring the licenses must pass certain background checks beforehand.
- Annual license fees can inhibit some users from getting their license if they don’t plan.
Some countries either don’t allow amateurs to get a license, such as Yemen and North Korea, or they don’t have a national licensing process, and you will need to obtain a license from a nearby country instead.
General License Privilges
Note that you can build or modify transmitting equipment without a license in most countries, especially Japan, The United States, and Canada, with more significant numbers of amateur radio users. However, getting your license comes with a few perks.
Some of the general privileges of having a radio license are:
- Using any frequency in their bands instead of fixed frequencies or channels, you can operate medium to high-powered equipment as long as you meet specific parameters.
- Use frequencies throughout the RF spectrum. Most radio amateurs can use shortwave bands or HF, but licensed users can use VHF and UHF bands, usually for regional communication.
- Can own, modify, and operate equipment not certified by the governmental regulatory agency. This equipment must still meet national and international standards for spurious emissions regardless of what modification you make.
You may also have to watch your power levels to help minimize the interference or EMC with other devices in your area. The peak power limit depends on the country, such as Canada’s being 2.25kW, whereas the United Kingdom allows 400W. You will also need to know what output your country measures.
Can WiFi Interfere with Ham Radio?
Whether WiFi can interfere with your WiFi has a similar answer to the question of ham radio interfering with your WiFi. The two use different signals, so it’s infrequent for amateur radio to experience interference from a WiFi signal and impossible if the internet connection is cable, DSL, or fiber.
How Do You Stop Ham Radio Interference?
If you are experiencing interference with your ham radio, it probably isn’t because of your WiFi, but there are some things you can do to prevent interference of any kind from getting in the way.
To get rid of ham radio interference:
- Get a license: You will need a license regardless of why you want an amateur ham radio. It also ensures that your radio is under the authorities’ supervision, resulting in minimal interference and a clearer signal.
- Talk to your power company: A power line is one of the primary sources of interference for ham radio. A power line generates intermittent noise, and when that noise reaches 60Hz, there is a buzzing noise through your ham radio. It’s best to know the power lines around where you’re using the ham radio and working with the company to clean up the interference.
- Install properly: If you’re having any issue with your ham radio, checking whether the installation is correct should be one of the first steps you take. Having your unit in the wrong position can hurt the overall performance. It would be best to refer to the user’s manual for installation instructions, especially for use in a car.
- Quality of the Components: The components of the radio itself may be faulty or low quality. You will want the ensure that your cables, isolators, and antennas are high quality.
- Avoid Congestion: The more users trying to use the same radio or radiofrequency, the more interference you can expect. You may find some messages are incomprehensible as a result of congestion.
Final Thoughts
Since ham radio and WiFi frequencies are so different, there is rarely any noticeable interference between the two. It might seem easy to assume two wireless signals working in proximity to each other would be the reason one of them has interference. Still, it’s more likely a nearby power line or installation error.
