[NCC] Tracking noise

[Tim Jellison]

I think you're relegated to being Tim3.  I claimed #2 and we all know 
that knocking LR off the #1 spot is pretty darned difficult.

On 4/22/2018 10:42 AM, kq8m at kq8m.com wrote:
> Thanks for the great advice, Tim #2. I have s9 noise on 80 24/7 365 with it peaking 20 over at times. S5 on 40 -17. I really need to look at this. This is great info for someone such as myself.
>
> 73
> Tim #3 or is it 4 or 5? Too many Tim's to keep track., KQ8M
> kq8m at kq8m.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NCC [mailto:ncc-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tim Jellison
> Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2018 09:00
> To: ncc at contesting.com
> Subject: [NCC] Tracking noise
>
> I thought this might be of help to some of you.  There has been a lot
> written over the years detailing how to track down noise sources, but
> here's a couple of reasonably cheap pieces of equipment I've used with
> good results.
>
> First off, this receiver works well.  Tecsun PL-660.  K3LR and I both
> have them.  They have rechargeable batteries, are wide-banded, and work
> on SSB.  The receiver is quite sensitive and works well for tracking
> noise.  I've used it to find troublesome devices in my own home (shut
> off all the breakers, then enable one circuit at a time).  I've also
> found that some noises generated by various homeowner devices are not
> wide band so being able to tune through the HF spectrum with the PL-660
> is handy.  I won't go into the methods of how to quiet down devices
> because that's a whole 'nother story.  If you walk around your house
> with this receiver, and everything in your house is powered up and
> running, I think you'll be surprised how much RFI there is these days.
> Modern technology comes with a price.
>
> Recently I had a problem with external power line noise.  To find it, I
> first found the bearing with my HF Yagi then I took the PL-660 out for a
> walk.  I was able to hear the noise weakly at my house and it kept
> getting stronger as I walked down a couple of poles.  I had it pinned
> down to two poles, but I couldn't determine which one was the
> generator.  Now for the second piece of hardware.  The MFJ 5008
> ultra-sonic receiver.  The scheme and theory behind these devices was
> written up in QST a long time ago.  I'm sure you could find the article
> if you search on-line.  With this device, I was not only able to
> determine which pole was generating the noise, but I was even able to
> figure out which device on the cross arm was bad.  Yes, the MFJ
> parabolic dish, ultra-sonic receiver actually works!  Go figure.
>
> I'm lucky to have a good contact at First Energy.  He has been very
> cooperative in the past and he immediately wrote up a work order for
> their line department to come out and replace the faulty hardware. I can
> promise you one thing, if you locate the defective pole for them they're
> much easier to deal with.  If you just call the power company and
> blindly say that you have power line noise, you likely won't get very
> far.  Some guys have had luck with a power company coming out and
> finding noise sources for you, but you're much further ahead if you do
> the diagnostic leg work for them.  In my case, First Energy seems to
> really want to maintain quality service, they'll fix things that are
> wrong, but I can tell that this engineer really appreciates not having
> to drive out to my QTH with whatever equipment he might have to find the
> trouble.  Twice now, I've given him the pole number and he dispatches a
> line crew to fix the problem.
>
> One other note.  If you get a commitment from them to send a line crew
> out - be patient.  They have a normal workload going all the time and
> they often times get backed up after a recent storm. Fixing line noise
> isn't a high priority, but once the work order has been submitted they
> will eventually get out there.  Just be patient with them and then send
> them some love when they finally get out there to fix your problem.
> They remember friendly people even more than they remember grumpy ones.
> And you WILL need them again some day.
>
> 73,
> Tim #2
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