Topband: Finding powerline noise

[DF2PY]

hi reflectees !
Ford - N0FP- raised the idea of "probing" a power- pole for identifying bad 
insulators. The approach thru a coupling that relies on the magnetic coupling 
into a pick-up-loop will not work, remember the currents are very low as we are 
dealing with static voltages of high generator impedance. I would rather use the 
gradient of the voltage against ground potential.but this is somewhat tricky as 
we are not dealing with the 60cycle side only, we are looking for the spectrum 
in the arcs that get into the HF range.And the pole that shows big 60 cycle 
currents is NOT necessarily the one that emitts the static discharges containing 
HF spectrum after Fourier analysis. I guess the proven method of using AM radios 
with built-in ferrite antennas is still the way to go, if the relation of effort 
and effect is of any importance.
73 & merry xmas de wolf  -df2py-