[RFI] Noise centered around 20 meters (Update)

[Gary]

I thought I would update folks on the interference case mentioned below. I got lucky! 

Staying on public streets and in the neighborhood park I was able to track the interference down to what I thought was the garage side of a neighbor's home. I built a small loop antenna and used a portable shortwave receiver that were invaluable in this process. A call out to my local radio club netted club members who knew my neighbor. 

My club members broke the ice over the phone and one of them accompanied me to the neighbor's home yesterday. We met in the most Covid safe manner possible. The problem turned out to be one of three neon signs in the neighbor's garage. He leaves the signs on all the time. The other two signs did not generate noise, and we were unable to detect noise from the offending sign anywhere except from 11-15.6 MHz. An AM broadcast radio 2 inches away from the sign did NOT detect noise. Chokes and using a different circuit had no effect as the noise was present either way.

He is going to get the sign serviced, and has agreed to leave it off until repaired, and through Field Day.

Thank You to all who offered help, 73 and Stay Safe,
Gary "Joe" kk0sd

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Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2020 5:18 PM
Subject: RE: [RFI] Noise centered around 20 meters

I was able to borrow a portable shortwave radio today, and we clearly determined the noise is from about a block over. I will build a loop for the radio tonight and take another whack at it tomorrow. 

Anyone have any suggestions for approaching a neighbor you have not met (if it's in a house) in this era of social distancing?

Thanks and 73,
Gary "Joe" kk0sd

> On May 23, 2020, at 12:50 PM, Gary <gary_mayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I was asked to do a video of the noise with no talking. You can see it here:
> https://youtu.be/I_AeXh5IGYg
> 
> The noise sounds the same across the band where I can hear it 11 - 15.6 MHz. It is the strongest around 13.5 MHz. There are no carriers that I can associate with the noise.
> 
(Snipped)
> 
> Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2020 8:46 AM
> To: rfi at contesting.com
> Subject: [RFI] Noise centered around 20 meters
> 
> Hey folks,
> 
>                I don't work a lot of 20 meters, but was thinking I might use it during Field Day for a 1E operation. I have some 'noise' that starts around 11 MHz and gets stronger as I tune up the band. It is about S8-S9 across all of 20 meters and finally plays out around 15.600 MHz. I made a video showing the issue and placed it on Youtube here:
> https://youtu.be/HD3sH-YjdyE
> 
>                I have preformed tests turning the breakers off to my home one at a time as well as turning the master breaker off and running the radio from a battery. The noise is unchanged by this. The noise is there 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
> 
>                The antenna is a simple ground mounted vertical in my backyard.
(Snipped)