Topband: Smart meter interference

[Charlie]

Thanks, Jim

 

Well, it's a Landis+Gyr Focus Meter, single-phase, Form 2S . One thing that
I noted is that it's really off-center in the meter cover? It might be
damaged or improperly assembled or installed. Seems that Landis + Gyr might
have sold off part of their business a while back. I can go up to the FCC
Equipment Authorization pages and see what's on file for it  up there. Your
noise might be digital microprocessor junk, or it could also be related to
some of the internal switching power supplies. Let me see what I might
learn! I'd start by filing a complaint with the utility.  Are you on New
England Electric's system?

 

I'll be back in touch.

73

Charlie, K4OTV

 

From: Jim Monahan [mailto:K1PX at msn.com] 
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2014 11:17 AM
To: Charlie
Subject: Re: Topband: Smart meter interference

 

Charlie:

 

I ended up taking two .jpg pics of the front of the meter which shows

all of the info. UI is the name of the utility.

 

Thanks for any info!

 

Jim, K1PX

 

K1PX at msn.com

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Charlie <mailto:charlie-cunningham at nc.rr.com>  

To: 'Jim Monahan' <mailto:K1PX at msn.com>  ; 'topband'
<mailto:topband at contesting.com>  

Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2014 10:37 AM

Subject: RE: Topband: Smart meter interference

 

Gee that's a really bad one, Jim!

I've spent many years of my life getting electricity meters compliant with
FCC rules!  Sound like that on is non-compliant with either the radiated or
perhaps more likely, line-conducted, emissions! Can you tell me who is the
manufacturer of the manufacturer of the meter? Sadly, you may  have to take
the issue up with the utility and the FCC.

Regards,
Charlie, K4OTV

-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim
Monahan
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2014 8:10 AM
To: topband
Subject: Topband: Smart meter interference

All:

While this might best be addressed to the RFI reflector, I'm wondering if
among the learned subscribers here on the Topband reflector, some of you
might have some knowledge or experience with this issue.

Recently, a smart meter was installed here and immediately I heard a buzzing
sound on all of the lower bands including 160 but it was loudest on 30
meters followed by 40 meters.

On 30 meters, it was 10 over S9!

Using the NB-Wide mode eliminates most of it but causes the usual distortion
associated with the NB being turned on.

It is there most of the time during the day and sometimes during the night.

After considerable effort including shutting down all power throughout my
house and checking the power system ground, a battery operated AM/FM/SW
radio confirmed it was loudest behind the back of the meter.

This is the digital electronics analyzing data that is causing the problem
and not the RF signal that is around 902 MHz.

Sweeping the band, the levels peaks about every 3 MHz including at 7 and
10 MHz.

ARRL says they have had no complaints about these meters!

A maintenance engineer from the utility confirmed the problem and says his
expressed concerns were not addressed.

He further indicated that at business, condo and apartment complexes where
large number of these meters are installed, the interference was
particularly noticed.

I suspect that some appropriate filter at the back of the meter would at
least reduce the level but I wonder if anyone has addressed this problem.

It looks like moving my antennas farther from the house is the most
expeditious route in reducing the levels detected.

Perhaps a direct reply would be best to avoid excessive bandwidth here.

Thanks in advance.

Jim, K1PX

K1PX at msn.com
_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband


---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
protection is active.
http://www.avast.com



---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com