Topband: Power Line Noise Detecting

[Mike Greenway]

If I didn’t say it, what it tried to say was if I hear the arc 100% this 
pole has a problem.  The antenna on the Ultrasonic has a  very very narrow 
pickup range and you have to move very slowly over every piece on the pole. 
If I don't hear the arc there could still be a problem on the pole although 
I have not run into this case yet.  Radar Engineers makes an expensive model 
for the power companies  http://radarengineers.com/rfitvi.htm#spark

Agreed on the radio to get to the area. I use a Radio Shack Aircraft band 
with a 3 ele yagi.  73 Mike


-----Original Message----- 
From: Tom W8JI
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2013 7:10 AM
To: THOMAS M GREENWAY ; topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Power Line Noise Detecting

<<<<<
Good job up to the last step. After getting where I think I have the pole
with the VHF TRF receiver I use a Ultrasonic detector that was shown in QST
by W1TRC. It will enable you to 100 % verify the problem is on the pole you
suspect.>>>>

That isn't actually 100% verification, or even near 100%.

Most RFI generating arcs make broadband acoustical noise, but not all of
them. No single method is ever 100%.

I would guess ultrasonic is around 80% or so, and it still takes a "radio"
to get to the pole.