For several weeks, I have noticed that Radio Exterior de España’s Cariari de Pococi transmitter has been sending spurs up the band during broadcasts on 17.850 MHz.

I’m certainly not the only one who has noticed, either. Glenn Hauser has mentioned his frustration with this continuous band pollution on several episodes of GH’s World of Radio broadcasts. It seems that contacting REE is not improving the situation.

The spurs are actually travelling up as far as the 17 meter amateur radio band. Today, while on 18.118 MHz, I could hear the tell-tale signs–pops and crack sounds with a faint voice signature. I recorded what it sounds like in AM on 18.118 MHz–click here to listen.

When I turned on the spectrum display of my WinRadio Excalibur, I could see as well as hear that it was emanating from an REE sports broadcast on 17,850.

Below are some screen shots of what the spur looks like on a spectrum display. If you compare the two images it’s easy to see. (Note that spurs appear as flashes on the spectrum and are not constant, like noise level or other “clean” AM carriers.)

If a domestic AM broadcaster in the US was causing this type of harmful interference, a correction would be enforceable, and most likely, the station would be taken off the air until the problem was solved. The transmitter is harming other broadcasters and the amateur radio spectrum. It’s an embarrassment for REE, too–their signal is quite strong into North America and I would otherwise love listening to them. While their transmitter is malfunctioning, however, their fidelity is compromised with distorted, “splattering” audio.

If you have noticed this, please consider sending a message to REE’s main email address: ree@rtve.es

Perhaps if they receive enough complaints, they will take action.

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