[VHFcontesting] Re: [DX] RFI/Power line noise problem

[Ron Stordahl]

You need to do what I did, put together a portable noise sniffer and go on
the search.  To make it sufficiently directional I bought an ICOM IC-R10,
which does AM up to 1.3 GHZ.  I used this in conjunction with a 440 MHz 5
element beam which is small enough to be hand held but directive enough to
be worthwhile.  Its important that the radio be AM and not 'sort of AM'.
The 'sort of AM' actually are FM and they claim to do AM by tuning to the
side of the AM signal, they call it 'slope detection.'  It's no good for a
noise sniffer..you need actual AM.  I suppose SSB reception would also work.
But FM, no way.

Now take your noise sniffer outside and start listening.  Over several years
I found several power line problems with insulators/hardware plus one bad
transformer.

With the equipment I have described I could easily isolate the problem to a
single pole.

Ron N5IN

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Geiger" <johngeig at yahoo.com>
To: <dx at mailman.qth.net>; <dx-list at yahoogroups.com>;
<yaesu at mailman.qth.net>; <FT100 at yahoogroups.com>; <FT-100 at yahoogroups.com>
Cc: <vhf at w6yx.stanford.edu>; <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>;
<wsvhf at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2002 8:17 AM
Subject: [DX] RFI/Power line noise problem


> Turning to the reflectors for some help in this
> problem.  I seem to have a decent amount of static
> (s5-6) at times on HF (especially 30 meters and below)
> and on 6 meters.  I even bought a FT100D to use on the
> reputation of its noise blanker,and the NB does work
> on it at times.  Other times it even overcomes the NB.
>  I called the local power company who came out to
> check for power line noise-using some equipment that
> received in the VHF range.  They found nothing from
> power lines, but did locate 1 house several blocks
> away that was throwing out some static-it isn't this
> house that is affecting me as we tried some tests
> yesterday turning off their power, etc.
>
> The power companies conclusion is "Sorry, it is not
> our lines, we can do nothing more, good luck."  So
> what do I do now?  This noise is frustrating at best,
> and really interfering with my receiving at worst.  I
> am not ready to conclude that it is not power line
> noise, as it seems to me that most people with line
> noise problems, get them in the lower HF range, not in
> the VHF range like the power companies equipment
> tested.
>
> I have tried to locate the offending source in my own
> house, and nothing here seems to be causing it.  Cant
> seem to null it out using my miniquad-it seems to be
> coming from all directions and it is worse still on my
> G5RV dipole.
>
> I do have some noise on 2 meters, not as bad, that is
> coming from the NE-I can null this with my 13B2.  I
> also can't figure out what this is, or if the two are
> related.
>
> Anyone else been through something like this, and any
> help or ideas?
>
> 73s John NE0P
>
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