[NCC] Tracking noise

[Thomas Roscoe]

I see the Tecsun PL-660 portable rcvr is available on Amazon and at 
Walmart for $110.00.
Tom K8CX

On 4/22/2018 9:00 AM, Tim Jellison 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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