[RFI] Help with Bad RFI.

[Tom Thompson]

Rick,

The noise schedule of 12 hours on and 12 hours off may be ballast noise 
from a grow light.  I have had several of these in my neighborhood.  The 
on/off schedule is consistent with the growing schedule of some plants.

I constructed a small loop for 40 meters that I used to find the 
source.  Construction details are on my web site  
http://www.tomthompson.com under amateur radio/receiving loop antenna.  
The noise I am working on now is coming from two Lumatek LK-1000, 1000 
watt ballasts located in the basement of a house about 700 feet away.  I 
have had some success mitigating the noise with common mode chokes right 
at the ballasts.

Tom   W0IVJ

On 1/14/2011 10:25 AM, Rick Scott wrote:
> My Saga is a common one I think. But I need some expert help thus I joined the
> list.
>
> I had bad 24hr power line noise and the local power company after much prying
> came out and found 3 poles with
> issues, however this took several months and then the repair more time with lots
> of phone calls and promises
> that didn't fix it thus prompting me filing a FCC complaint and them fixing it
> Immediately after I sent them a copy of the complaint.
>
> But now they wont even talk to me with this issue, probably rightfully so but it
> was their inaction that prompted the complaint.
>
>
> And I wanted them with their DF to locate it.  but Alas not a chance.  And I
> dont have the equipment to find it.  Ive driven around
> with an AM CB but cannot locate it.
>
> it started about 2 weeks after they fixed the power lines.   But this one, even
> though it sounds like power line noise, cant
> be because of the times.
>
> It radiates worst from about 5.50MHZ up to about 11MHZ.   On 30 and 40 meters
> its 20+ over 9 and kills my system totally, I cant even
> hear locals.
>
> It comes on anywhere from 10am to 2pm and goes off anywhere from 10pm to
> Midnight.
>
>
> It sounds just like power line noise.
>
> I have a recording of it at home, I can post it and pictures on a PSK Software
> if anyone needs that to determine more.
>
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.  And if anyone is in the Puget Sound area
> that has the tools/knowledge to help
> I would appreciate it.
>
>
> and Yes I do have PLASMA trouble as well on 80m, but they dont watch all the
> time so I'm OK there.
>
>
> Rick Scott
> W7PSK
> Everett, Washington
>
>
>
>
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