Amp radio transmissions?

I think it's because I need a new pre-amp tube but, just to be certain ...

Why is the little Fender [tube] amp in my lessons studio transmitting radio signal? It is random, and infrequent, and I think a localized signal (like from 100 ft or so away) because when there's no radio, I still get lots of hum and noise (more than usual). The latter seems to be from my iPhone.

yes, when I move farther away from the amp and/or direct my pickups away the hum decreases but the radio broadcast was unaffected

yes, I know if I switch to a two-coil combo or a humbucker pickup the noise will decrease

yes, I know about the electrical hum from light fixtures and such; this is not that

yes, I know about 60-cycle hum; this is not that

T.I.A. ;)

It happens all the time, and most of the time there's no issue with your amp. I built a fuzz factory clone, but I left some of the wires quite long, and they picked up stuff all the time. It's most likely dodgy wiring, in your amp, effect, or cable, coupled with your location. I live in the attic of a district on a hill so I get it a lot more than my friends who play guitar, and live in a valley.

all amps pick up radio stations, some fitter it out better.... there are thigns you could do to modify the radio out of your little fender, but they will change the sound and/or feel

Since I've never had this issue before with this amp, and not in this location until just very recently, and even then only a couple times in the past three months, it feels unlikely that it's a wiring issue (which has been unchanged since it's purchase years ago). But what do I know. Seriously, I'm not an amp head or even a gear head like most folks here. Just a logical fellow.

I am of the belief that something changed to cause this new effect. But I appreciate all the suggestions and I will give them some more serious consideration before total dismissal :)

all you need to change is a radio tower built closer to your location, but it could also be a preamp tube ;-)

did you change the pres?

This actually happened recently to me. One of the cables that we use tends to pick up some talk-radio show when plugged in. It's just the cable itself, though. Nothing else.

Either way, it was an old cable and no one uses it anymore.

Either way, it was an old cable and no one uses it anymore.

I love simple solutions such as this :D

Oh how I miss my college days.

Have not changed the pres yet ... I like to discuss online and sleep on it for a week or two before buying parts.

no kidding, I have a duplo bucket full of decent pres... no, seriously, duplo....my son likes his lego stored in smaller containers in his room so I stole a duplo tub for dual triode storage!

Oh, I believe you! I'm no stranger to re-purposing empty containers. And guess what my parents got me for my birthday this year ... no joke ... two metal tins and two wooden cigar boxes, all empty. LOL

that's a fucking gift for a guitarist! storage for your parts and tubes!

The Folgers ground coffee containers are my favourites. Our storage shed has a a whole bunch of them for all the little things.

EB needs a "like" button. Or the FB API (?)

I like to use those to toss cigarette butts in when I feel like smoking. Now that they changed them to plastic though I could see them being okay for guitar parts, yeah!