Household gadgets that function wirelessly tend to pose a number of interference problems for baby monitors. The usual culprits for the interference are other baby monitors and wireless phones. Often you need all the devices that are transmitting so you have to find a way to minimize the effect…and irritation.
What is Wireless Interference?
Interference may appear in the form of buzzing, static or any kind of screeching annoying sounds. It’s not just sound, baby monitors that come with video monitoring may also suffer from a fuzzy reception. Another annoying part of the whole interference dilemma is the fact that you could sometimes pick up your neighbor’s phone conversations on your baby monitor – and vice-versa. This makes it even more difficult for you to hear the sounds that are coming from your baby’s room.
How to fix Wireless Interference?
Interference can be fixed for the most part. Here are some tips on how to avoid or, at least, minimize the nuisance of interference with your baby monitor.
1. Know your wireless phone.
Pick a baby monitor that can work on a different frequency band from your phone. These days, most cordless phones operate on the 2.4GHz frequency band. If you use the same channel for your baby monitor, you’ll definitely encounter problems with the signal.
2. Adjust the channel.
The majority of modern wireless devices allow the changing of channels in an attempt to fix interference issues. It may be as easy as sliding a switch or pushing a button.
3. Opt for a wireless phone that utilizes the 900MHz, 1.9GHz or 5.8GHz band.
Since these channels are not as commonly utilized as the 2.4GHz frequency band, they’re less prone to interference. If you have a preference for multiple-handset-capable wireless phones with a handset-conferencing option, pick one that makes use of only the 1.9GHz or 5.8GHz channel.
4. Switch on the baby monitor first.
To get the best possible reception and transmission from a 2.4GHz baby monitor with or without video capability, switch off all transmitting devices in your house…phones, routers, microwaves etc. Turn on the monitor first. Then turn the other devices back on. This allows the monitor to capture the initial accessible signal as strongly as it can. That will give you the best chance of good reception and not affect your other wireless gizmos.
5. Purchasing a digital baby monitor.
If you want to ensure that your next-door neighbors won’t be able to pick up the transmitted sounds from your baby monitor, purchase a digital version instead of an analog one. Digital has technology that prevents most interference.
6. Move away from the Cause
If frequency band adjustments don’t work and replacement of the monitor is not an option, try to keep the differing wireless appliances as far away from each other as possible.
Baby monitors and wireless phones can interfere with each other’s functioning but by using these tips you can avoid most of this annoying headache.
