Topband: [RFI] Powerline noise question

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

I am going to start with the preamp kit DXE sells to go with the flag 
kit.  This particular noise source is extremely strong so I am 
optimistic that it will be sufficient.  I can add the preamp that
came with my Pixel loop if necessary.

Again, your recommendation means a lot.

73
Rick N6RK

On 12/30/2022 5:08 PM, Frank W3LPL wrote:
> Rick,
> 
> You'll be very pleased with the performance of the WB8DSB RFI hunting
> flag antenna.
> 
> Don't forget to need lots of preamp gain. The WB8DSB flag is about 60 dB
> down from a dipole on 160 meters. 40 dB of preamp gain is needed until
> you're very close to the RFI source.
> 
> 73
> Frank
> W3LPL
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Richard" <richard at karlquist.com>
> To: "Frank W3LPL" <donovanf at starpower.net>, "rfi" <rfi at contesting.com>, "PVRC" <pvrc at mailman.qth.net>, "topband" <topband at contesting.com>
> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2022 8:25:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [RFI] Powerline noise question
> 
> Thanks Frank.  You got me unstuck.
> I have ordered the DX Engineering Kits and the PL330 receiver.
> 
> 73
> Rick N6RK
> 
> On 12/29/2022 7:53 PM, Frank W3LPL wrote:
>> Hi Rick,
>>
>> I recently built a WB8DSB man portable flag antenna (March 2021 QST)
>> for RFI geolocation, its performance far exceeds my expectations.
>> Its narrow deep null quickly, easily and definitively located the
>> source of very troublesome 160 meter RFI to a single power pole
>> more than three miles from my QTH.  Prior to constructing the
>> flag antenna I could locate the RFI to only within a few hundred
>> yards of the RFI source.
>>
>> I built my flag antenna entirely out of materials I had on hand
>> from previous projects including 3/8 inch diameter fiberglass rods,
>> a pair of Advanced Receiver Research P1-30/20VD 20 dB HF preamps,
>> a case of eight AA batteries to provide power to the preamps,
>> a switchable attenuator and a Tecsun PL330 portable HF receiver.
>>
>> I highly recommend this easily constructed RFI geolocation antenna
>> for the toolkit of any serious HF operator.
>>
>> 73
>> Frank
>> W3LPL
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Richard" <richard at karlquist.com>
>> To: "rfi" <rfi at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2022 3:15:32 AM
>> Subject: [RFI] Powerline noise question
>>
>> I have a powerline noise coming from about 2 miles away, which is
>> nevertheless quite strong at my QTH.
>>
>> Here are the symptoms:
>>
>> 1.  A 120 Hz noise burst at regular intervals, about 0.9 seconds apart.
>>
>> 2.  The noise goes away after a rain; then comes back after things dry
>> out.
>>
>> 3.  Can be heard from 500 kHz up to a few MHz.
>>
>> 4.  The noise is very strong along a road for a few miles.  There is a
>>
>> power line that follows the road.  I haven't been able to localize it
>> better than
>>
>> that so far.  From my QTH, though, it is definitely coming in at a
>> specific azimuth
>>
>> which is consistent with the noisy road a few miles away.  (Using a loop
>> antenna
>>
>> for DF'ing).
>>
>> Any help appreciated.
>>
>