Topband: Power Line Noise

[Dave Harmon]

I got a MFJ model 852 line noise meter and found almost all of my noise in
10 minutes.
The dishwasher was making a loud racket almost like white noise.....wait, it
wasn't running!
The indicators, processors and other lectronic stuff in the door are still
running if the door is closed. To stop this noise I just unlocked the door.
Next, the coffee pot was making an even louder noise so I went to the junk
box and found an MFJ snap on ferrite. I put as many turns as I could of the
line cord through it at the back of the pot....gone. 
Next....I found several wall warts that I never use that were making
noise.....unplugged them.
Then, there is a USB hub off the back of the computer that was tearing up
160mtrs so I discovered that the hub doesn't need to have wall wart power
because it is powered by the USB on the computer....duhhhh....threw that
wart away.
Anyway...that's a few things that cleared up noise around here.
I don't have any o' them new fangled light bulbs either.
For power line noise, just drive around and you will soon find the poles
that are causing your problems

Regards

Dave Harmon
K6XYZ[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Sperry, Ok.

-----Original Message-----
From: topband-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Herb Schoenbohm
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 2:56 PM
To: steve.root at culligan4water.com; TopBand List
Subject: Re: Topband: Power Line Noise



steve.root at culligan4water.com wrote:
> So Old blue helped find noise sources that were a mile and a half away? I
can't begin to tell you all how discouraging that is....
>
> The noise here is incredible. The K3 noise blanker, set to it's most
aggressive level, has no effect on it. I spent a year experimenting with the
MFJ-1026 and never was able to achieve any kind of a null, much less one
that improved S/N ratio. The noise sounds like a waterfall, it has no
discernable characteristics when seen on a 'scope. 


Steve,

Maybe more of us could help if you made a .mpg recording of the noise 
with the RX in the AM mode and with a 9Khz B/W and then post it on a web 
site where we all can listen to it and see if we can provide any clues 
to what could produce this noise. I am certain there is some noise 
sleuth out there that has heard this type of noise before and can 
provide a few clues which will narrow down the search.  Additionally you 
should cut the main breaker going to your house while having your 160 
meter radio power by a DC source.

Are you near an industrial area? Are there any oil fired furnaces 
nearby?  Start you own check list and determine items like time and 
temperature.  If none exists it eliminates potential sources and gives 
credence to other possibilities..  Just don't give up as it can be 
found.  An aircraft capable scanner (AM mode) with a small Yagi can be 
very helpful in DF'ing multiple source noise, sometimes better than an 
ultra-sonic detector.

Merry Christmas and I hope a solution is under the tree this year,

herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
_______________________________________________
160 meters is a serious band, it should be treated with respect. - TF4M