Your computer's metal (theoretically enclosed, hopefully grounded) case provides essential RF shielding. If you run in an open-air configuration, you're going t

Your computer's metal (theoretically enclosed, hopefully grounded) case provides essential RF shielding. If you run in an open-air configuration, you're going to get RF noise. One of my roommates has a computer case with an acrylic window — typical DIY gaming PC case. That window means the case provides poor shielding. When the computer's on, it sputters all over the 70cm ham band.