[TowerTalk] Noise Problem?... more suggestions

[Roger L. Elowitz]

Hi Guys,

Seriously now....

To rule out any possibility that the noise is being generated within
your QTH... listen for the noise reduction on a battery operated AM
radio... (already suggested by many) tuned above the Broadcast Band...
in-between stations  (Daytime) and then simply turn off the main power
circuit breakers in your home.  If the noise goes away... it's being
caused by something in the house.

If it's propagating down the power lines  in the neighborhood... the
usual causes are dirty and arcing HV insulators on the power poles...
which sometimes goes away depending on the humidity in the air,
corroded hardware, rotted support members on the poles etc..  Again, to
locate the noise on the poles... especially if the poles and wiring
have been put up more than twenty years ago...  use the silly but very
effective method called BBD... Baseball Bat Detection.  With your AM
radio hanging around your neck and the volume blasting listening to
nothing but static... walk by a power pole and have a whack at it with
the baseball bat.  If the noise is disrupted... suspect the pole and
anything associated with it. Time to call the power company.

[I did that and found some bad insulators.  The local power company
ended up replacing all the wires, support cross Tees and insulators for
blocks around my home.  Fantastic.  Probably saved them a fortune in
wasted power.]

If anyone asks what the hell you're doing with the baseball bat... tell
them your mad and you're tired of kicking the dog!  They'll get out of
your way fast.  How you explain why your only listening to static on
the radio... I'll let you dream up that explanation to the men in the
white suits.  For starters you might say... "I hate music and talk
shows and commercials too!... I find the noise soothing!"... then
practice running.

Have a Happy,

Roger, K2JAS
Morganville, NJ
about 30 mi. SW of NYC


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