[TowerTalk] RFI Issues for W7PSK

[K4SAV]

Good advice from K4XS.  I track all my power pole noise problems to the 
pole and since I built an ultrasonic detector,  I can even identify the 
component on the pole that is causing the problem.  When giving this 
info to the power company, the response has been amazing.  The record 
repair time so far is under 3 hours.

Power pole surge suppressors have been the highest failure item around here.

Jerry, K4SAV


On 11/13/2012 9:33 AM, Cqtestk4xs at aol.com wrote:
> I have had lots of experience working with RFI over the last 35 years with
> three different power companies.
>
> With most of the guys coming out, you can't just tell them...I have an RFI
> problem and you need to find it.
>
> It is imperative you go out and do your homework.
>
> The first suggestion is something you can't do...turn the beam around to
> see where the source seems strongest.  usually there are multiple sources  so
> this can be tricky.
>
> Second, if you have a mobile rig, hit the road and using your AM radio as a
>   starter, drive around the neighborhood.  When you start getting pretty
> strong noise on the AM radio, switch to your mobile rig.  Turn it on AM to
> the highest freq it will go.  Higher is better.    When it  peaks in a general
> area.  You have a culprit.  Check to see if anyone  in your local club has
> an MFJ "sniffer" or something similar.  With that  you can usually nail down
> the problem to one or two poles.  Tie a piece of  survey tape to the
> pole(s).
>
> After you have identified the offending sources, call up the power company
> again and tell them you know for sure which poles are the problem.  I can
> tell you from experience they will be a lot more cooperative if you do this
> sort  of thing.  You , as the one with the complaint, will seem more
> knowledgeable, and you will find them easier to work with.
>
> I am currently working with my local power company using the above method
> and they have been very cooperative.  In FL we have lots of thunderstorms
> and as a result many arrestors on the poles get blown.  If you can lead  them
> to the source they MUST and will fix it.
>
> YMMV.
>
> Bill K4XS/KH7XS