Strange request: Radio Interference?

I know this will be a strange request, but I am an avid shortwave and/or AM radio listener at night, as it takes me a bit before I fall asleep. Since getting my CPAP, a Responics M-Series Auto, it has put a severe cramp in my radio listening because the unit generates so much radio frequency interference that I cannot hear anything on the radio over the buzz generated by the CPAP. Right now I have the CPAP machine on the floor, under the bed, with the radio on the nightstand and it has helped, but only marginally.

Anyone have experience in this regard with other machines? And, if I do look at upgrading the machine I have a whole slew of new research to do in that area as to what to get and/or the best pricing because I bet my insurance won't cover it. This machine was bought not so long ago back in the early part of 2009, and overall I have to say I have no complaints with it. I would definitely like another one that has the data logging, so the PR System One is looking nice I think, but too early to say without doing the research.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

My resmed does not interfere with my FM clock radio. I thought these things all had to be properly shielded before they got approval?

Can you unplug the CPAP while on the radio?

It would not affect FM radio, at least not nearly to the levels of impact that it has on AM or Short Wave radio. And I am not "on" the radio, I am listening to it. It is on a sleep timer while I fall asleep, so if I shut off or unplug my unit I will not have it while I sleep which is not an option.

To check your unit in this regard, just fire it up and then use a bedside AM radio and see if you hear appreciable buzzzz or other interference in the radio signals (preferably one that is a distant station as a really strong local station can overpower it) that goes away when your machine is shut off.

Would it be possible for your DME to loan you a PR S1 machine to try? See if it affects the radio waves? While the very latest models are reportedly a bit more quiet it may be that it still would generate enough interference to hamper listening to the short wave or AM radio. Of course if you just need another reason to want to try the PR S1 besides radio noise, like the waveform data or the other data, then that is another story. Sometimes just being curious is enough reason.

Seconding the suggestion to see if you can switch out the M-series for a System One.

Or maybe try increasing the distance between the radio and the xPAP?

My husband and I listen to a local AM station in both the evening (sometimes) and the morning every day. This is a station with a rather tempermental signal to begin with: If the radio is turned the wrong way on the nightstand, it can become very fuzzy and full of static---a problem that dates back well before moving a CPAP and then BiPap into our bedroom for me. We've had no additional problems with picking up this AM station since I started xPAP even when the xPAP machine is on.

But we do have the radio on one side of our double bed and the xPAP machine is on a small table below the height of the mattress on the other side of the bed.


Machines used: Resmed S9 AutoSet (for approximately 3 months) and PR System One BiPAP Auto (current machine).

You need an RFI filter also called a RFI choke. They are cheap and you can get them at Radio Shack.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... d=2103222#

You might need two, one for each power cord.

Or you could try plugging them into different circuits (not just different outlets, but lines coming from different breakers.)

(On another, but related topic, THIS may help explain why none of our machines have "OK for in-flight use on aircraft" stickers on them...)

n9yty wrote:I know this will be a strange request, but I am an avid shortwave and/or AM radio listener at night, as it takes me a bit before I fall asleep. Since getting my CPAP, a Responics M-Series Auto, it has put a severe cramp in my radio listening because the unit generates so much radio frequency interference that I cannot hear anything on the radio over the buzz generated by the CPAP. Right now I have the CPAP machine on the floor, under the bed, with the radio on the nightstand and it has helped, but only marginally.

Try covering your CPAP with aluminum foil. Some of the electrical stuff inside might be generating radio waves that your radio is picking up. If you can connect an external speaker to your radio you might try placing the radio on the other side of the room, or elsewhere several feet away from your CPAP and have the speaker close to your bed.

Between this and the RF filter suggestion you should be able to determine if the interference is coming over the power cords, or over the air. That will give you the info you need to decide what permanent course of action to take.

Sony "Dream Machine" on AM, ResMed S8 Escape II Auto with humidifier, distance between the two, about 2".

Results - no static when tuned into a station, and no rise in static when tuned in between stations. When the distance is increased to 8', there is no change in the results.

Resmed S-9 and Insginia info center within an inch or two...no problems with interference. I would check with your DME.

Before you go to filters (or even plugging them into different circuits) make sure that the cords are separated. That seems to make a difference for me. I have trouble now and then with FM on my ancient clock radio (while using an M series CPAP).