Help eliminating static in the shop radio needed

[scsmith42]

I often use hearing protection with a built in radio inside my shop when I'm running loud equipment, and when I turn the T8 electronic ballast flourescent fixtures on they will cause static in my reception on some of the radio stations.

Tonight I added a new shop radio (fire replacement), and the weaker stations exhibit the same problem.

Can anybody advise me as to the cause of the static (do I have a loose connection or is this just typical of flourescents?), and what I can do to eliminate it? The instructions for the new shop radio referenced flourescent fixtures as a typical source of static, so I'm probably not the only person with this problem.

Thx.

Scott

ps - I'll bet that Bruce and Dennis both can offer some good advice re this...

[JimmyC]

Has this static always been there, or has it started since you got your new "Apex Sander" ?

[Tarhead]

...and just how close are you to Sharon Harris Neuculer (Texas spelling) Plant?????
Do you have any new exterior lights? Some of them can cause problems. New power transmission lines nearby?

[scsmith42]

Originally Posted by Tarhead

...and just how close are you to Sharon Harris Neuculer (Texas spelling) Plant?????
Do you have any new exterior lights? Some of them can cause problems. New power transmission lines nearby?

Mark, I like that Texas spelling!

FYI the static starts when the flourescent fixtures are switched on, and it stops when they are turned off. No high power lines anywhere close. There are known static issues from T8's and it only occurs on the weaker FM stations, so I'm pretty sure that the problem is the T8's.



Now Jimmy, stop being a troublemaker!

[Joe Scharle]

Electronic ballasts operate in the IR range and are not closely tuned, so the freq can/will swing in a wide range. Grounding/shielding are about the only cost effective options you have. Small radios held near the fixtures may show you a bad tube/fixture.