[RFI] RFI, Power Company.

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

IMO, this is bad advice - arcing and sparking are the same thing.  My 
power company just wants to know it's there, and if possible on which pole.

I've found it works very well with neighbors to bring my receiver along 
and say - "Listen, that sound is a spark jumping.  It maybe harmless, or 
it could start a fire.  The only way to be sure is to track it down.

On AM, a spark sounds like a spark, or sometimes like a step-down 
transformer in the throes of failing, which many people have heard at 
one time or another.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
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On 5/24/2013 4:38 PM, EDWARDS, EDDIE J wrote:
> A word of caution:  To a utility, there is a difference before "arching" and "sparking".  If you have arching, the ham won't be the only person to call in the problem because everyone will probably be hearing it too.  The RFI that only hams "hear" on their radios is usually just sparking.
>
> You might get a quick initial response if you call it in as arching, but they will send the wrong crew out.  If you cannot point to the obviously arching equipment, they will leave and be a little angry you wasted that crews' time.
>
> You might have trouble after that with getting the correct person to come out to investigate and locate your sparking problem.  Especially if you do that more than once.
>
> I suggest it's better to be honest, factual and helpful if you want repeated service rather than trying to angle or trick the call center people--which is pretty easy to do on this subject.
>
> 73, de ed -K0iL
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of KD7JYK DM09
> Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 2:51 PM
> To: rfi at contesting.com
> Subject: [RFI] RFI, Power Company.
>
> Another angle of attack...
>
> According to several meter installers in my area, an arcing pole is
> "hazardous and may start a fire.  It is considered an emergency, call the
> emergency number on the back of your power bill and report it immediately".
> Since we don't know if the arcing is internal or external and whether or not
> it may cause a fire- if ever, all detected arcing poles should be reported
> so that they may be inspected and maintained as required.  No more arcing,
> no more noise, no more RFI, no more potential of billions of dollars of
> liablity for the power company.  Everyone is happy!
>
> Kurt
>
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