[RFI] Anyone have a guess as to the source of this noise?

[Dave Cole]

Jim,

The advent of SDR has placed tools in the hands of folks that never 
could afford the tools you speak of...

Most folks I know can't afford a spectrum analyzer, hence why SDR has 
made a very substantial difference in the presentation of RF 
environments to folks.

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 2/21/20 6:01 AM, AA5CT wrote:
> 
> Dave,
> 
> When one only really need *one number* (the spacing between
> the carriers that one is observing ) we've actually taken a bit of
> a step back.
> 
> The question to be asked when observing un-ID'd spectra is:
> 
> a) Is it continuous spectra or is it discrete 'tones'?
> b) What is the width if discrete?
> c) What is the spacing if discrete?
> 
> A quick 'spin of the dial' used to 'tell' is these factors in the 'daze'
> before SDR. In fact, before SDR we still had HP/Agilent/Keysight
> spectrum analyzers AND audio spectrum analyzers and
> waterfall displays via our PCs.
> 
> I still 'spin the dial' on the bandscope-equipped Icoms to come up
> with a number for the spacing between observed noise 'tones' too.
> 
> 73 de AA5CT Jim
> 
> .
> .
>   
> 
> On Friday, February 21, 2020, 7:21:01 AM GMT-6, Dave Cole <dave at nk7z.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> How much simpler SDR has made this sort of thing...
> 
> 73, and thanks,
> Dave (NK7Z)
> https://www.nk7z.net
> ARRL Volunteer Examiner
> ARRL Technical Specialist
> ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources
> 
> On 2/21/20 5:10 AM, AA5CT via RFI wrote:
>>
>> In the "olde  days", Jim, we would tune across the band
>> and note any similar buzzes at xx kHz apart IF indeed we
>> could find any more 'buzzes'. With powerline arcs,
>> the spectra is continuous, there are no discrete 'buzzes'
>> every xx kHz as with a switching power supply working
>> at say 48 kHz. Anyway, once this short search is done,
>> a mental picture (in the mind) is assembled, which can
>> then be passed along to others using words in print.
>>
>> 73 de AA5CT Jim
>>
>> .
>> .
>>
>>
>> On Thursday, February 20, 2020, 10:48:09 PM GMT-6, Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> On 2/20/2020 6:04 PM, qrv at kd4e.com wrote:
>>> Anyone have a guess as to the source of this noise?
>>
>> The most useful "picture" of RF noise is a spectrum and waterfall, at
>> least 200 kHz wide. Wider views can also be quite useful. Study NK7Z's
>> website.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>
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