[RFI] Alternative Noise Sources?

Kimberly Elmore cw_de_n5op at sbcglobal.net
Tue Oct 12 06:32:33 PDT 2010


Ever since I became aware of the new noise source somewhere near my QTH, I've 
been driving around, looking for it. Every morning, I leave home early and drive 

along the main roads where two different power companies have their 12.5 to 35 
kV distribution lines. I've pretty much driven all the routes within a 2 mi 
radius of my QTH and, using a 2 m/70 cm rig set of AM detection, have not found 
any substantial sources. In fact, after the rain a day ago, everything was as 
quiet as the grave, yet I still heard the noise on HF at home. I still hear the 
noise and it has a definite 60 Hz component (actually, 120 Hz because there are 
two peaks per cycle).

Nothing has changed at my house, so I'm pretty sure that the noise isn't 
generated at my place, though I will double check all the usual suspects. I live 

in a neighborhood of nine houses, each on 10 ac lots. My closest neighbor is 
probably 500 ft from my antenna. What consumer electronic item could they have 
purchased and installed that would generate S9+20dB noise on 40 m with a 60 Hz 
component 24/7? I don't think they watch TV 24/7, so I doubt that it's something 

like a plasma TV (I've not heard plasma TV noise). What else could it be? In 
short, what might I be missing? 


73,

Kim Elmore N5OP



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