RF Noise from Sony VAIO

[Jerry Falletta]

The laptop is a Sony VAIO PCG_FRV37 (a few years old)... a P4, 2.8 gHz processor with a 19.5-volt power supply/charger (PCGA-AC19V7). This puppy puts out more than 6 amps @ ~ 19 volts, probably because the laptop is capable of drawing such large amounts of current.

Now for the problem...... I have narrowed down a moderate RF noise that interferes with radio reception to occur only when the charger is plugged into the AC outlet. The noise level is sufficient to block out all but the very strongest of RF signals, and I need to be able to receive weaker signals (analog and digital communication via Amateur Radio).

The question: Is there a filter available that would effectively reduce or eliminate this RF noise from the charger, or a different power supply that puts out 19.5 VDC @ ~6 A? If I could find a new plug (or plug and cable from a burned out charger) to connect to the laptop, I could probably build (from discrete parts) a clean power supply that could be used with the VAIO while on the air, but that is a later resort.

Has anybody else here had this problem with the Sony VAIO laptops? I am planning to upgrade that as well in the next year or so, and will be looking for a new laptop that is more "RF friendly".

Should have kept the old IBM TP-760ED, if for nothing more than this purpose.........

Thanks in advance for any assistance.