[SCCC] Powerline Noise?

[Dennis Younker NE6I]

I'm no expert in this area as I have not had to track down SDGE noise since
moving to San Diego and SCE noise since the mid-1980s but have you been able
to track the noise to the suspected pole? If you turn on a portable AM radio
(or better yet, one with shortwave capabilities), are you able to pinpoint
the source? If you don't have a portable radio, perhaps using your car radio
will help, assuming the noise is also in the AM broadcast band. 

Back in the 1980s, SCE had an excellent technician that I worked with many
times in coordination with the company I was with at the time in LA County
to track down utility related noise (and sometimes from electric fences and
whatnot). He was great. However, from what I have read in recent years,
those types of guys don't exist at utilities anymore due to cost cutting. I
can't speculate on that or speak with authority...that's just what I have
read and heard. 

I think we have one or more noise experts here on the reflector that
hopefully can chime in. ARRL also has an excellent noise/interference expert
that may be of help from what I have read.

I will say this from past experience. It's better to tread lightly with the
utility company and offer to help/coordinate rather than call and be a
yelling fool. The former will get one a lot more cooperation. And the more
real data you can provide, the better. 

--Dennis NE6I

-----Original Message-----
From: SCCC <sccc-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of R. Salazar
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2021 6:13 PM
To: sccc at contesting.com
Subject: [SCCC] Powerline Noise?

Hello all,

For the last month or so I have been experiencing very broad banded noise on
HF. It is strongest on 10, 11 and 12 meters but appears randomly throughout
the HF spectrum. The peaks are evenly spaced about 24 or 25 khz.
Fortunately, it avoids most of the ham bands but it seems to have raised the
noise floor throughout. I believe it is powerline noise coming from a pole a
few hundred yards behind my house. I have attached a sound file which I hope
will make it to the reflector. Just need an opinion before I call SDG&E.

Thanks,

Ryan W6ZAR
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