What the hell causes static?

[ailsagirl]

I looked "static" up in the dictionary and it says, "Disturbing effects produced in a radio or television receiver by atmospheric or various natural or man-made electrical disturbances."

How does that tie in with my remote headphones having major static? Or the static on my PC's speakers whenever I adjust the volume??
:shrug:

[Robb]

1. You think that's bad

...I'm getting nothing but static, filling up my attic. :P

[Richard Steele]

13. From channel Z?

[dhinojosa]

2. If I remember my electrophysics its

a charge imbalance, too much negative or positive, and its using you in a violent way to fix itself and give itself balance. :)

[ailsagirl]

5. Violent is right!!

It's a real assault on my ears

:grr:

[A HERETIC I AM]

3. I'm no audio expert but i think the problem you describe is a poor ground

somewhere between the source and the speakers. Often it is either the plug or the receptacle for the plug. Were they always this way? is it a new set of headphones and an older player? Static through speakers from a source like a CD player is bad contact somewhere or a bad ground.

on edit to add that i noticed you said "Remote" speakers. I presume wireless? So there also may be another source of so called "White noise" in the area that is causing the problem. Could be an electric motor of some kind or anything that might emit electrical or radio signal or noise.

[ailsagirl]

4. It's an aging set of headphones, unfortunately

I watch TV with them when it's late at night and when I
adjust the volume... YOW!!!

I'm pretty clueless about this type of thing-- after I
put in a new headphone battery, and the problem persisted,
I gave up.

:(

[A HERETIC I AM]

6. if they are aging, it could be the wires that are soldered to the speakers

themselves. Or in the transmitter if they are wireless. might not be worth the hassle of repairing. Have you priced a new pair? Might be better off just getting a new set.

[ailsagirl]

7. Thanks, heretic... you're probably right. :(

Sometimes I wish I lived in a little cabin without TV, phone, or computer!!
:eyes:

[BrewerJohn]

8. If it's when you adjust the volume control

It's likely a dirty control. Think of running a stethoscope over sandpaper...it's something like that. There are spray cleaners that can get in there and wash the grit out. Technicians generally have them, or if you're ambitious, you could probably pick up one at a good electronics shop and try it yourself. You do have to open up the unit and know where to spray, though.

[RC]

9. None of you electronic geniuses have stumbled to

the fact it happens when he adjusts the volume. He has a dirty volume control.
Take things apart and spray the control with tuner cleaner or some such and work it. Usually makes things as good as new.

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. RC? I admitted i wasnt an expert. Why didnt you step up with your

superior knowledge and give your diagnosis earlier? You are right, he/she mentioned it was when the volume was adjusted and i realized i didnt take that into account after my second post. Oh well.
Note the etiquette of the post above yours that addressed the issue without taking the condescending tone you did.

No need to be a pompous ass about something like this.

I was only trying to help.

[RC]

12. All you had to do was read what was written.

I just came across this thread.
Too many people speed read or scan something and never get the point of what they are reading, but they got to post a response first. I see it here in DU all the time.
This thread reads like the Q&A session on day one of Electronics 101.

[A HERETIC I AM]

14. HEY!! YOU'RE RIGHT! AGAIN!

and yet, you still felt it necessary to come across as a supercilious, condescending know-it-all when you could have just as easily simply offered the solution as you saw it and left it at that.

I see THAT all the time here on DU also.

People with the diplomatic and conversational skills of a haughty brass hat.

I shall endeavor in the future to read more carefully and post more thoughtfully so as to not insult your heretofore unknown standards.

Regards.

[Swede]

11. Radio Shack should have contact clearner.

Just spray a little bit into the volume control,work the control up and down a bit and that should clean the oxides off.