[TowerTalk] Whole House Generator

[Castellano, Michael (USACT)]

Just a couple of anecdotes here... RFI  vis a vis generators

My home genset is a 14kW diesel (permanent install) with manual transfer.  No RFI problems, though when the power is out
probably the LAST thing I am going to do is get on the air hi hi.  I DID go all out on grounding/bonding  the genset
to make the electrical inspector and my receivers happy.

I also  have a 300 kw (not a typo) diesel gen at my commercial tower site, likewise, no RFI when I am listening on my
SP-600 and R-390a up there. (my AM station... 160 inv vee at 290 feet and 7/8 hardline.) Of course the grounding/bonding
up there is massive. :)   But I DO get noise from the "computerized" status panel.

I am beginning to think that part of the problem might be inadequate grounding of gensets, especially smaller portable ones. I know, I did
before an electrician showed me where I was lacking on that set. ..
it was as simple as using a shorter, larger sized conductor to a better ground rod.
 Worth checking into !

73 and see ya on the bands...

Mike  KM1R/HS0ZAI