I will discuss various examples of the use Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis of filtered global tropical (20S-20N) brightness temperature (Tb) data to isolate equatorial disturbances. We have found that this technique is very objective and leads to some interesting insights about the relationship between equatorial and extratropical wave activity. One example reveals out of phase variations in convection on either side of the equator within the west Pacific ITCZ and SPCZ, with a period of around 4 days. These signals are linked to disturbances that can be characterized as mixed Rossby-gravity (Yanai) waves, which frequently then transform into easterly waves north of the equator as they approach the region of New Guinea, often initiating typhoon formation. Spectral analyses of these EOF signals suggest that Yanai and EIG waves form a continuum, which should not necessarily be separated into westward versus eastward components. In another example, Kelvin waves can be cleanly identified as the leading mode of eastward propagating disturbances on the sub-MJO time scales. It appears that many of these equatorial modes can be excited by higher latitude forcing, with Rossby wavetrains appearing within the extratropical storm tracks prior to the peak convective activity near the equator. An alternative MJO index to the Wheeler/Hendon RMM index, based entirely on Tb or OLR, will also be briefly discussed.