[RFI] Tecsun PL-380 - Is 50 dbu a "Bad Pole"?

[Jim Brown]

On 9/9/2013 1:34 PM, Aaron Kreider wrote:
> I've tested a bunch of poles in the neighborhood using AM and the 
> small portable Tecsun PL-380.
>
> The second nearest pole has a maximum 50 dbu signal measurement- if I 
> put the radio right next to the ground wire.  This is about as bad as 
> I've found. Is this a sign of a bad pole?

It's telling you that the ground wire is carrying that noise current, so 
it is also radiating it. When it's louder at a given pole, it probably 
means that the noise source is closer to that pole. But it can also be 
the result of current minima and maxima along an antenna (the power 
line), which will be a function of wavelength.

Also, not all poles have ground wires, so make your comparisons with 
poles that do.

73, Jim K9YC