Does My Baby's Monitor Know Morse Code?

Updated on June 29, 2010
S.L. asks from Sun Prairie, WI
13 answers

Okay, so I know that I have asked a lot of questions of Mamapedia, but I KNOW this one is the craziest!! I seem to have baby monitors (a brand new one and my origianl one) that make a noise like Morse code (you know, be beep beeep be be be beeep). It is random and REALLY annoying. My new monitor does it just like the old one did except it is so much louder! It sounds like a stinkin' alarm clock. The noise happes at random times, it's not coming from inside his room, and I know it's not anything I'm doing (because I'm usually sleeping when it happens).

Has anyone every had this problem before? I've tried switchign the channels on the receiver but would moving it altogether eliminte the noise? I live in an apt. compelex right now and, at the moment, I have no side or upstairs neighbors. I live just behind a giant corn field so I don't think there is much interception going on there. What is causing this horrible noise? Any advice would be greatly appreciated...I feel like a crazy person :)

Thanks,
S.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Yep, it was my cell phone (although I discovered after some trial and error) that other electrical devices (lamps, chargers etc... can make it go crazy.) So, I just moved my cell phone away from the monitor and am now keeping it on the floor, at least 3 feet from any other electical tihng. So far so good, thanks for all the wonderful advice!

S.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Could the base be too close to the receiver?
I only had a video monitor but I know if the camera was too close to the monitor it would make noise.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Tampa on

Ours does that sometimes as well. The cell phone can set it off, but sometimes, there is no obvious reason. When I have it in our room at night, I've noticed that I can move in the bed a certain way and it will set it off! I can move it a few inches and it will stop. Annoying, yes, but I don't think it can be helped, since our households are full of electronics. You just have to try slightly different positions, and hopefully you will find one that works!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Lincoln on

It could be worse. I had a couple with a baby on the same block and I could hear inside their house sometimes. I would check on my baby and nothing, but the monitor would be cooing or a mother would be singing. I am sure they heard us from time to time too, LOL.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Redding on

Morse code.
That's funny.
It sounds like you're picking up some interference from somewhere and I don't really know what you can do if changing the frequency doesn't help.
I used to have a TV that got staticky every time I turned the blender on so it's hard to say.
Maybe try plugging it into different outlets?

I hope you get some good advice.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Seattle on

LOL...

It's most likely picking up your cell phone talking to the cell tower (or someone else's cell phone), or your computer talking to the internet depending on what kind of connection you have.

Every time I take my cell into my H's office and set it on the desk for any period of time I get beep ba beep beep beeeep beep ba beep beep. (If I move the cell away from the speaker during this process the speaker stops picking up the signal). The same thing would also happen with the computer before we switched to cable.

1 mom found this helpful

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have a set of walkie-talkie's between my house and my parent's house (they live next door) just for emergencies. And I know exactly what you are talking about. It happens with them too. It is a rare occurrance for us, but it will happen, on occasion, out of nowhere. Scares the dickens out of me!! I am inclined to think it is some kind of signal it's picking up, for whatever reason. And we live in a pretty rural area, so it's not like we're in a city, picking up every signal around. It's a mystery!

Sorry I don't have any advice, but at least you're not crazy! Ok, maybe crazy, but not alone!!! LOL

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.V.

answers from Madison on

You are probably picking up a Ham Operator's signal. (interference)
They are transmitting on the same wave length as your baby monitor. You should be able to go to Radio Shack and buy a filter to put on your monitor.
Take the Monitor with you so they can match up the right one.

W.
KB9VCX

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Dallas on

It could be from your cell phone. If my cell phone is anywhere near the monitor it makes the beeping noise you are describing.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.D.

answers from Omaha on

Sounds like your baby monitor is picking up signals from cable TV or internet connection somewhere in the area. It does not have to be someone nearby you especially since you live in an apt building, the coxial cable runs thru the walls. Try moving it away from the wall or a different location within the room and see if that helps.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

Yep, it's your cell phone. Mine does it too-and it drives me INSANE! I can even tell when my cell is going to ring sometime cause the monitors start to go nuts. I have not found a solution to the problem yet. If you find one, let me know! ;)
Best,
L.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

My husband is an amateur radio hobbyist, so I have some insight on what might be happening.

Your baby monitor is likely picking up a transmission from someone nearby that is actually transmitting morse code. If you live in a wide open space, especially near a corn field, that morse code signal can probably come from a fair distance away, as it's not obstructed by a lot of buildings or other radio or electrical interference. Look for anyone who has a ham radio antenna on the homes near you - even within a 1 mile radius or so... An antenna can be anything from a large wire/rope loop to a sort of metal "tree" pitched in someone's yard or on top of their house. A lot of times they look like much bigger versions of the old TV antennas people used to have on their houses in the old days. If you see someone with such an antenna, that is probably where the source is coming from. Changing the channel on your monitor might help, or it might not...

That's definitely what the noise is, though. You have an amateur radio operator somewhere in your vicinity. (You may notice that your TV also buzzes when that person is operating... Next time your monitor is beeping, turn on your TV and see if it is buzzing or if the reception is fuzzier than usual. Most likely it will be.) Good luck! There is probably not much you can do unless you find out who it is that is operating and feel comfortable talking to them about how you can reach a compromise with them so as not to have them disturb your sleep or your baby's sleep with their transmissions! Ham radio guys tend to be very friendly and willing to accommodate if approached with a reasonable attitude. They KNOW their hobby can cause disturbances sometimes with their neighbors' electronics.)

S.
XYL to KC7FYS

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from Milwaukee on

Hi S.,

I know you've already figured out the problem, but I just had to tell you that you are not alone! We returned our video monitor because of the constant clicking only to get another one that also clicks. It's absolurely nuts. At night we have to keep it on the floor at a crazy angle in order for it to be quiet. And if I move around too much, it will start up again. So when you suggested morse code, it "clicked" (ha ha) with me that that is the exact sound coming from our monitor. So I googled it, and found out that baby monitors can absolutely pick up morse code if someone near you is transmitting it. HAM radio operators still use morse code and since the circuit boards in the monitors are not shielded with a metal enclosure, they will pick up the code. AND, it also said that living near wide open fields increase your chances of picking up the signal, and having wireless internet or a cell phone in the house will intensify the noise. I am so fascinated by this awesome knowledge! Thanks for helping me solve our mystery!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

Maybe it is a ghost trying to get your attention! Sorry, I couldn't resist......take care.....

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions