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Re: [RFI] CFL Noise Update - Neighbor Removes Burned Out CFL

To: rfi@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RFI] CFL Noise Update - Neighbor Removes Burned Out CFL
From: "Roger (K8RI)" <k8ri@rogerhalstead.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2012 02:22:31 -0400
List-post: <rfi@contesting.com">mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
On 10/10/2012 12:08 AM, Tony wrote:
On 10/9/2012 10:23 AM, qrv@kd4e.com wrote:
Tony, Do you have a common electrical system? Could his circuit have a
bad ground or neutral and
it is using a path through yours? David

Hi David:

Common in that the power comes into our homes off the same power lines.
I'd be interested to know if the noise could travel from one home to the
next via the power lines because of a faulty ground.


I understood him to say it changed frequency, not strength. Changing strength is no stretch at all because the switch would change the length of continuous wire/antenna. Frequency OTOH is more of a conundrum.

I've been able to wipe out the local repeater (when it was here) just by rubbing a screwdriver against a guy wire.

73

Roger (K8RI)


Tony




I recently discovered that my neighbors CFL lighting was causing RFI. I
managed to get close the light with a portable HF rig and found the
noise was identical to what I was hearing in the shack; same
frequencies, same noise characteristics. I should mention that the bulb
was burned out.

The problem with pointing the finger at the light as the only RFI source
was that the noise would shift in frequency when I turned a light switch
on and off in my home! I recorded the frequency shift "trick" on video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYHbpLfQ1gc

I shut the mains to see if the noise was coming from my home, but it was
still there with the breakers off. The light switch had no effect on the
noise as long as the mains remained off.

Long story short:

The noise went away immediately the moment my neighbor removed the
burned out CFL. An identical CFL that was working emitted much less
noise. He hasn't replaced the bulb yet so we'll have to see what happens
with the new one.

The puzzling thing about all this is how a light switch in my home could
have an effect on the noise coming from a neighbors CFL? It doesn't
appear coincidental because the light switch "trick" hasn't happened
since my neighbor removed the CFL. It's been a while now and all is
quiet.

Any ideas?

Tony -K2MO




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