AvSAR responders carry a wide variety of metallic and electronic devices that can interfere with an avalanche transceiver. Rescuers must be aware of the potential for transceiver interferences, and may have to take steps to overcome its effects in a rescue situation. These may include reducing search-strip widths in the coarse-search phase, and turning off all electronic devices while conducting the transceiver search.
Metal parts near the transmitter may block the signal or detune antennas, and active electronic devices may cause background noise and/or random signal readings. The problems caused by interference depend on the type, mass, and size of metal parts, and the amplitude and frequency spectrum of electronic devices. Many interference effects increase exponentially the closer the transceiver is to the interfering device or object. For practical purposes, this means that most interference effects can be minimized by keeping electronic devices and metallic objects at a specified minimum distance from the transceiver.
The effects of interference on a transceiver may include:
Recommendations in Transmit Mode.
Recommendations in Receive Mode.