It has been interesting to read some the discussions that have been going on
on the reflector during the last year about trying to reduce electrical
noise problems on 160m through cancelling devices et al.
Whilst the advantages of the latter devices are that they can be a
relatively cheap solution to an electrically noisy QTH, there is nothing
like a quiet QTH. The interesting thing is that these things are very relative.
Although I live in a semi-rural setting, I think my QTH is very noisy, being
surrounded by overhead power lines and with a power utility transformer
about 200m away. On the other hand, radio amateur friends visiting me from
the inner Perth metropolitan area think my QTH is very quiet.
A good friend of mine who also enjoys 160m recently moved from a QTH that
had a very low electrical noise level compared to mine, to one that he says
is so quiet on Topband that he is sometimes unsure if the antenna is
connected. In this case, power lines are underground and all the local
properties are on small acreages and well spaced out.
The point of all this is that the range of electrical noise levels us
Topbanders experience may vary by several tens of dB, between those who live
in town surrounded by noisy domestic devices and power lines and those who
live in relative isolation in the country with underground power. How many
signals do those in very noisy urban enviroments just not hear at all?
On the other hand, things are not always what they seem - I used to live in
an inner Perth suburb, which was actually quieter in summer than my present
country location.
Noise cancelling devices are great, but when we Topbanders do have the
chance to move house, a good check of the electrical noise potential with an
RX and antenna is going to pay dividends. When the Ireland family next move
house, after looking at the antenna possibilies (first checking that the
house is OK, of course), the next thing I shall check is the level of
electrical noise.
Only another ten years to go until moving time...
Vy 73,
Steve, VK6VZ
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