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STRANGE- TWIGHLT ZONE PHENOMENON. Can anyone explain?

I have an Entreq Silver Tellus Grounding box. At the present, there is only one Entreq Atlantis cable spade lead attached to it and on the other end of that cable is an RCA with a wooden outer exterior. This RCA is connected to one of the unused RCA’s on the right side of my Lumin Streamer. And it only connects to the outer RCA ring.

There are no AC connections of any kind.

So here is the mystery, when there is a storm coming, there is a static hiss coming from the right speaker. Sometimes I think I can also hear some sort of a radio station. If I disconnect the Entreq RCA cable it goes right away. If I connect the same RCA to the unused left channel the same thing occurs on the left speaker.

It definitely seems like a grounding issue, but honestly, I am stumped. I have moved and relocated any and all cables away from the Grounding box and its cable.

Again, this only occurs when there is some sort of storm.

I have dedicated circuits for my audio.

I have also tried a different grounding cable. What the heck is causing this?

ozzy

ozzy
buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97
971 posts
 

When you look out the window is there a gargoyle on your wing ? 

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,796 posts
 

I am serious, what is causing this? It just doesn't make sense to me.

ozzy

kennyc
3,050 posts
 

Likely a cable acting like antenna.  IIRC weather can affect radio reception

On a brighter note, free radio without radio gear 😉

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
6,203 posts
 

Here ya go!

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Can Stereo Cables Pick Up Radio Signals?

Yes — stereo (and other audio) cables can pick up radio signals if they act as unintentional antennas. This happens because the copper wires inside the cable can resonate with radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves, especially from nearby AM/FM stations or other RF sources thetechylife.com.

Why It Happens

  • Antenna effect: The wires in speaker or audio cables can pick up electromagnetic waves from radio broadcasts, especially if they are long, unshielded, or run parallel to other conductors AudioCruiser.com+1.

  • Electromagnetic interference (EMI): Nearby electronics, power lines, or even the electrical grid can emit RF noise that travels along the cable thetechylife.com.

  • Signal type: Line-level cables (like RCA or 3.5mm) are more susceptible than speaker cables, because they carry amplified signals that can amplify any noise picked up AVS Forum.

Common Causes

  • Long cable runs (e.g., 20 feet of RCA cable) AVS Forum.

  • Poorly shielded cables.

  • Cables running parallel to power lines or other RF sources.

  • New installations or changes in cable routing that increase exposure AudioCruiser.com.

How to Reduce or Stop It

  1. Use shielded cables — especially for line-level connections, to block RF noise AVS Forum.

  2. Shorten cable runs — shorter wires are less likely to act as antennas AudioCruiser.com.

  3. Bundling — tuck cables together to reduce their “antenna” effect AudioCruiser.com.

  4. Ferrite cores — snap-on ferrite chokes can suppress RF noise at the cable ends AVS Forum.

  5. Grounding — ensure proper grounding of equipment and cables to reduce EMI AudioCruiser.com.

  6. Change routing — reposition cables to avoid running them parallel to power lines or other RF sources AudioCruiser.com.

Bottom Line

Stereo and other audio cables can indeed pick up radio signals if they are long, unshielded, or exposed to RF sources. Using shielded cables, shortening runs, adding ferrite cores, and proper grounding can greatly reduce or eliminate this interference AudioCruiser.com+2.

 

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,796 posts
 

Thank you for the responses.

It is only when there is a storm and only with the ground cable connected to the Entreq grounding box. It's not caused by any other interconnect.

Can there be atmosphere conditions that could create this?

ozzy. 

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