[RFI] 6M fm iNTERFERENCE

[Ed Richardson]

With 6m Sporadic E season finally underway, I have discovered a new
interference between 50 and 50.1 MHz. On CW or SSB it sounds like noise
bursts as the modulation passes through your tuned frequency. It turns
out to be a wide FM carrier from a TV source. Some sort of RF modulator
type device, however I can find no video carrier anywhere between 1 and
900 MHz. The signal is likely part of a satellite or cable box, pvr, or
receiver as the audio source does change channels. The device does get
shut down, sort of, as the modulation vanishes leaving only the carrier.
The carrier is also unstable as it drifts between 50.03 and 50.09. With
modulation the signal is 100 kHz wide on peaks centered on the carrier
frequency. 

I believe I have tracked it down to one of several homes, a little more
than 1/4 mile away. At this distance with a 5 element yagi pointed in
that direction, the signal is s9+20dB on the receiver or -60 dBm
measured on a R&S spectrum analyzer.

Has anyone found a definite culprit for this type of signal and how do
you deal with the homeowner that is blanketing the neighborhood
unintentionally? I do not know any of these potential owners of the
interfering equipment and I am a little reluctant to knock on the door.

Ed VE4EAR