[NCC] Tracking noise

[John S Comella]

I believe the *QST* article Tim is referring to is *A Home-made Ultrasonic
Power Line Arc Detector* which appeared in the April, 2006, issue of

*QST.*
Tim, thanks for your informative note.

John,
N8AA

On Sun, Apr 22, 2018 at 9:00 AM, Tim Jellison <w3yq at w3yq.com> wrote:

> 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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