RFI
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [RFI] RFI and the electric company

To: Mike Brown <k9mi@sbcglobal.net>, RFI@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RFI] RFI and the electric company
From: Pete Smith <n4zr@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 04 Oct 2005 06:51:11 -0400
List-post: <mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
Mike, I have found that my small local electric company, which has zero 
capability for finding RFI sources, is great about coming and fixing them if I 
can identify the pole or the neighborhood (within a few poles).

My major source, now mostly fixed, was slack spans rigged with taut span 
hardware.  These are commonly used where the primary wire needs to cross a road 
and there is no room to guy the pole counter to the direction of the 
cross-over.  If the right hardware is not used, there is sparking between loose 
parts on the insulators.

If I were you, I'd look for slack spans in the direction of the interference 
and report the pole numbers.  It wasn't until I found them all and got them all 
fixed that my noise environment calmed down.

73, Pete N4ZR

  At 11:45 PM 10/3/2005, Mike Brown wrote:
>I have had 3 problems with RFI from the electric lines in our 
>neighborhood. Number 1, they were out the next day, and although it took 
>maybe 3 months to fix, I was happy because they were at least trying, 
>and did eventually find it.
>
>Second time. This was a nightmare that took 7 months to get fixed, and 
>only then when the Fcc sent a letter to the mayor of our town, letting 
>him know that fines would be costly. This was after I contacted them, 
>got the complete brush off. The fellow that helps in these situations 
>with the ARRL had written a letter to the CEO of the electric company 
>(sorry, I know his name was John and he had a K2 call, and was a great 
>help). But like I mentioned, they gave me the total brush off and I had 
>to get aggressive, or that problem would still be here.
>
>About 2 weeks ago, another one pops up. All I have up is my tribander at 
>40 ft now, but pointed the direction of the problem, I have S9 to 15 
>over noise on 20, 15 and 10 meters. I let it go 2 weeks, just to make 
>sure it was consistent, because I'm not going to bother them over an 
>intermentent problem. This is 24/7, and never lets up, so today I called 
>and we'll see what happens. If it turns into a long drawn out affair, I 
>may just let it go and sell my hf rig. I have two many other problems in 
>my life to fight with the power company again.
>
>This has been a few years ago, but it's still on the web...
>http://www2.arrl.org/news/enforcement_logs/2002/0406.html
>
>Funny, it wasn't long after the FCC sent that letter, my problem went away.
>
>Mike, K9MI - Anderson, IN
>
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>RFI mailing list
>RFI@contesting.com
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi 

_______________________________________________
RFI mailing list
RFI@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>