[RFI] Frustration thy name is 120hz

[Charles Plunk]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the reply. The source *IS* still active but highly 
intermittent. It actually became intermittent last weekend.

They came about 10:30am yesterday but I heard bursts from it shortly 
after they left and many last night. But today its been quiet 
(inactive). Thus the frustration as I know its not fixed. It is so 
intermittent now maybe it will die completely on its own. I have had 
120hz sources to do that in the past when I was working and had little 
time to track them. Over months they would die on their own.

At any rate, right now will just monitor to see if it returns and enjoy 
at least /mostly/ quiet conditions. I will email them after a week or so 
of monitoring and either thank them for the work or thank them and 
request they return. I just felt they should have spent more time doing 
the items those of you listed and I sent them. I do not think they 
possibly could have done all that in 20 minutes.

But, as you say, bottom line its mostly gone for now. I fully realize 
living around 60's model power lines is a continual battle. And 
appreciate the utilities cooperation/courtesy and appreciate this group 
most.

73

Chuck

W4NBO

On 10/23/21 5:38 PM, Mike Martin wrote:
> Hello charles, that's kind of a tough question. If they corrected your 
> problem it doesn't matter whether they spent 5 minutes or 5 hours. 
> Many times I'm only there 10 or 15 minutes sometimes there an hour but 
> if they corrected the problem it really doesn't matter. A loose staple 
> on the ground wouldn't be considered 240 volts or 7,200 volts. The 
> staple is holding the ground to the pole and the staple gets energized 
> by induced voltage from the primary. if they found that staple loose, 
> removed it and your noise is gone or if they tighten it the noise is 
> gone. Either way if it's gone, it's gone and that's a good thing only 
> time will tell. But by all means you give them the benefit of the 
> doubt and take their word that they've corrected it until it comes 
> back. Don't worry about the 7.2 KV side and less the noise comes back. 
> Then no matter where it is they need to find it.
> Congrats on the quiet!
>
> Be safe,
> Mike Martin
> RFI Services
> 51 W Bay Front Rd
> Lothian, MD 20711
> 240-508-3760
> On Oct 23, 2021, at 11:37 AM, Charles Plunk <af4o at twc.com 
> <mailto:af4o at twc.com>> wrote:
>
>     7.2kv/240 volt system here. 20+ years of 120hz issues on and off at this
>     QTH. Current source details here;
>     https://qsl.net/af4o/Powerline%20RFI%20QSL.net%20Webpage/Fall%202021%20Source%202.html  <https://qsl.net/af4o/Powerline%20RFI%20QSL.net%20Webpage/Fall%202021%20Source%202.html>
>
>     My current 120hz source stayed active for 2 months. Last weekend became
>     inactive. Utility arrives yesterday of course with it inactive. Before I
>     could get suitable clothes on, grab my HT/450mhz yagi, and going out to
>     meet them the crew chief stated they found it (a loose stapled ground
>     connection). I asked him did they check over the 7.2kv side (and several
>     other questions) thoroughly which not much up there on that side. They
>     said yes. So with it inactive, what more could I say.
>
>     I have sent them many emails from several of you edited down to the
>     suggestions of what they should check. Appreciate those very much.
>
>     Currently source is still active but intermittent.
>
>     So
>
>     What are the chances of the source being on the 240v side of the pole
>     being its a loud s9 at 2m at ~300' and can hear at 450mhz and portable
>     yagi at ~150'?
>
>     Am I correct emphasizing to check the 7.2kv side?
>
>     Should I be frustrated they only spent about 20 minutes with the pole
>     after me spending hours upon hours locating it?
>
>     With it intermittent (a burst of arcing maybe 30 seconds every 10
>     minutes or so but very random) will it possibly cure itself thus should
>     I wait before informing them its not fixed?
>
>
>     Thanks again for all the suggestions and excellent advise here.
>
>     Chuck
>
>     W4NBO
>
>
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