Topband: RFI on TB

[K4SAV]

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Lightning surge suppressor on power poles can be big noise generators 
when they go bad.  The worst one I found was three miles from my house 
and created S9 noise on my receiving array.  Its characteristics fooled 
me at first because it didn't sound like something a power pole could 
generate.  It sounded like someone holding down the dash lever on a 
keyer set at about 10 wpm and running continuously 24/7.  Then one day I 
heard it break into a more random pattern.  That's when I went looking 
for it.

Found it easily because of the huge noise signature.  Called it in to 
the power company, gave them the pole number and which component on the 
pole was at fault.  Went back home and turned on the radio and the noise 
was gone.  Couldn't believe that so I drove back to the pole and they 
had already disconnected the surge suppressor. Best repair time ever.

I use an MFJ-856 to get close and a homebrew ultrasonic detector to 
identify the exact component on the pole.  MFJ also now makes an 
ultrasonic detector, the MFJ-5008.

Jerry, K4SAV