Bluetooth discussion - BT headset static

Author

BT headset static

VicTek

2006-09-26, 10:33 am

Is it generally the case that BT headsets produce more static when in
motion? When I'm having a phone conversation during a walk the static can
get pretty bad sometimes, but if I just stop walking and keep the devices
still it is much better. I guess it could be a problem with the headset or
the phone, but if I just hold the phone to my ear while walking I don't hear
static. When I'm in the car, or at my desk I can use a headset without
static, too. Any ideas about what the problem is?

Cavity Search

2006-09-27, 3:33 pm

"VicTek" <abc@xyz.com> wrote in message
news:hrbSg.6618$7I1.2572@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
> Is it generally the case that BT headsets produce more static when in
> motion? When I'm having a phone conversation during a walk the static can
> get pretty bad sometimes, but if I just stop walking and keep the devices
> still it is much better. I guess it could be a problem with the headset
> or the phone, but if I just hold the phone to my ear while walking I don't
> hear static. When I'm in the car, or at my desk I can use a headset
> without static, too. Any ideas about what the problem is?

Body position? Anything that gets between the headset and it's paired unit
will drastically reduce the range, where you can experience static and
dropouts.

It's possible you are passing through fields of electromagnetic
interference. Walk past a neighbor with a HAM radio, or a hot rod goes by
with unshielded ignition wires, and you can get static. In fact, any large
or complex machinery can do weird things with wireless devices.

However, since the static seems to go away when you stop walking, it's
possible, but unlikely, that objects around you are bouncing the signals
around, confusing the headset as it tries to figure out which signal is the
right one.

It's highly unlikely motion itself could cause any problem with bluetooth.
I don't know just how fast you walk, but if you walk fast enough to
introduce a doppler effect in radio waves, which travel at roughly the speed
of light, then you can play tag with Superman. Anyway, as long as both
devices are traveling together, you don't have to worry about it.

I'd say it's body position. Even your arm can block the bluetooth signal as
you swing it while walking. If you have a bit of a gut, like me, that too
can block the signal. I'm going to try one of those arm band phone
holsters, or maybe hang the phone around my neck. Or, I could work out and
lose my gut.

I'll start with the arm band. heh

CS

VicTek

2006-09-27, 10:33 pm

>
> Body position? Anything that gets between the headset and it's paired
> unit will drastically reduce the range, where you can experience static
> and dropouts.
>
> It's possible you are passing through fields of electromagnetic
> interference. Walk past a neighbor with a HAM radio, or a hot rod goes by
> with unshielded ignition wires, and you can get static. In fact, any
> large or complex machinery can do weird things with wireless devices.
>
> However, since the static seems to go away when you stop walking, it's
> possible, but unlikely, that objects around you are bouncing the signals
> around, confusing the headset as it tries to figure out which signal is
> the right one.
>
> It's highly unlikely motion itself could cause any problem with bluetooth.
> I don't know just how fast you walk, but if you walk fast enough to
> introduce a doppler effect in radio waves, which travel at roughly the
> speed of light, then you can play tag with Superman. Anyway, as long as
> both devices are traveling together, you don't have to worry about it.
>
> I'd say it's body position. Even your arm can block the bluetooth signal
> as you swing it while walking. If you have a bit of a gut, like me, that
> too can block the signal. I'm going to try one of those arm band phone
> holsters, or maybe hang the phone around my neck. Or, I could work out
> and lose my gut.
>
> I'll start with the arm band. heh

Thanks for the reply. I didn't realize that the Bluetooth signal was so
easily disrupted. I was thinking BT was more robust like cordless
(land-line) phone transmissions, but clearly it is quite fragile if simply
passing your arm through the signal path can produce static. I will try
positioning the phone better and see if that helps.

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