[VHFcontesting] RE: RFI/Power line noise problem

[AB4RU at aol.com]

Hi Everyone,

I think someone on the list said we all have had power line problems. I think 
that is an understatement, we all have power line problems, its just worse 
for some hams than others. The power companies seem to have good intentions 
in many cases and have repaired many of the problems but for some reason they 
seem to surface again later.  Most power companies have a small staff and 
little equipment to find RFI problems. Unfortunately the power companies 
cannot control lightening and cars hitting the poles, but they do have 
control over the power line construction techniques being used. 

The cost for building and supplying power has been on the rise and many power 
line companies have done several things over the past decade to keep the cost 
down to the customers. This includes using the lowest bid contractors to 
build new lines and increasing voltage on existing systems. Have you ever 
wondered why the extremely high voltage lines (112 KV) seem to have little 
EMI problems and most of the problems are involved around 25KV feeders for 
subdivisions and rural areas. The answer to that question is simple, the 
construction techniques currently being used by the power companies is the 
problem. The new green poles start to shrink after the installation and the 
hardware gets loose. Have you wondered what happen to the black poles that 
did not shrink? We could get by with some shrinkage in the old days but now 
that we have 25kv lines on these poles arching can occur on a loose nut or 
washer 3 foot from the wires. 

Installers have little or no concept about what RFI is or what causes it. I 
have also found numerous problems with pole grounding and guy wire 
connections that have produced RFI. If you are having a RFI problem contact 
the power company and insist on speaking to an engineer. If you have the 
equipment and can find the RFI source, it will help expedite the repairs. I 
do not recommend shaking the pole or hitting it with a hammer for safety 
reasons. 

What can the hams do? Short term, continue to call the power companies and 
report problems to the FCC as needed. Long term we need the power line 
companies to adopt a more stringent construction code and mandate the 
installers be trained in RFI. If your wondering how that will happen, the 
answer is simple again. The new construction is obviously going to cost the 
customers more money. Currently it is cheaper for the power line companies to 
continue the usual construction and handle the complaints. We have to 
convince the power companies its going to be a cheaper solution to build and 
repair the lines correctly.  All we have to do is get the FCC to start making 
routine checks around the country looking for power lines that are radiating 
without a complaint being filed. I have seen countless cases in homes where 
there was RFI on channel 2 TV caused by power lines. 10 out 10 owners did not 
know what was causing the problem.  
Guess who gets the blame in the end if you have a ham antenna in your yard? 

Ron W4WA


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