[TowerTalk] Interference Problem (long)

[Pete Smith]

At 02:44 PM 2/3/03 -0700, Peter Larsen wrote:
>Hi Pete et al:
> >Most of the
> >big noisemakers in my area have been slack spans
>
>Slack spans are notorious for giving false readings with a AM
>radio. The low frequency noise propagates a lot farther
>than the higher ones. They also will "jump off" at a
>slack span so that where you get the peak reading
>with a AM radio may be a couple of miles from the actual
>source.
>Case in point is a slack span near my house. When you stop
>at the stop sign your AM radio (I listen to 770) is wiped
>out completely. But when the pole is checked with a
>thermal imaging camera nothing shows up. You can shake, rattle, and
>pound the pole all you want, the noise source just isn't there.

This is true, I'm sure.  AM radio tells you there's a problem, not 
necessarily where.  I have found that dead-end runs are particularly prone 
to this sort of false reading.  as I said, AM only tells you that there is 
a problem, not necessarily where.


> >I have had good luck with using progressively higher frequencies to locate
> >noise sources
>
>This is the best way to do it. When you hit 450 mHz you can get real
>close as the upper frequencies don't travel as much.
>
> >Their one and only RFI guy (for several states)
>In Calgary we have two RFI guys who do nothing but line
>patrol. Both have more than 35 years in the trade and
>more than 15 years on RFI. These are the guys I trained
>with so I think I can speak with a bit of knowledge.
>I don't know how a company can only have one guy for
>"several states", not the way I would run a joint.


I wish, but our local power company's story is all too common.  Get into an 
expansion jag, overspend, get into cash flow trouble, cut staff through 
early retirement and replace experienced staff with cheaper new hires, then 
default on borrowings and threaten bankruptcy.  Not the way I'd run things 
either, but here we are.


>BTW Enmax (my company) has the top rated first line
>response team in North America. (trouble calls, RFI complaints,
>new service connections, and underground utility locates)
>

I wish your company served eastern West Virginia!


73, Pete N4ZR
The World HF Contest Station Database was updated 1 Feb 03.
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