Why do cell phones make my speakers buzz?

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Certain electronic devices, such as radio alarm clocks, can emit a buzzing sound around 100 Hz when a nearby cell phone is about to ring. This phenomenon can disrupt other electronic systems, particularly in factory settings, where it has caused operational issues. The ringer circuit of mobile phones can interfere with nearby equipment, leading to noticeable effects like cursor movement on computers or beeping from speakers when a text message or call is received. This suggests that electromagnetic interference from mobile devices is a real concern, although it primarily affects non-health-related electronic functions rather than posing direct health risks. The discussion also humorously touches on the idea of bandwidth limitations, implying that such interference might be a sign of technological saturation.
Ivan Seeking
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I noticed recently that just before my cell phone rings I can hear a 100 Hz or so buzzing from the speaker of a certain radio alarm clock of mine. I have also seen this sort of thing take down factory systems when standing near unprotected control centers. I know one factory engineer that this caused no end of grief until they figured out what was happening.

Not to perpetuate the EM health risk myths as this only involves the ringer circuit, but I find this a little amusing and worthy of mention.
 
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it is even funnier if you put your mobile on the mouse cord, the pointer starts moving before receiveing a call...
 
my monitor shakes.
 
Yes, I can hear whenever someone receives a phone text message or call: my speakers will start beeping :-p or when I was in the US calling home I would notice the same thing in the line :rolleyes:

I guess they're running out of bandwiths?
 
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