Hello.
Jim Dellwood W5PH and I (Robert Oler WB5MZO) had a similar problem here in
Clear Lake TX. We DF'ed if down to a particular house and then called the
power company (HL&P). The guy came out in his truck confirmed it was the
house and then identified it as a doorbell transformer that was going bad
(amazing it was audible over 2 miles away).
we got the folks in the house to replace the door bell transformer and it
was gone. I dont know what yours soundlike...but Jim and I learned a thing
or two.
Robert
>From: Glen Zook <gzook@yahoo.com>
>To: John Geiger <johngeig@yahoo.com>, dx@mailman.qth.net,
>dx-list@yahoogroups.com, yaesu@mailman.qth.net, FT100@yahoogroups.com,
>FT-100@yahoogroups.com
>CC: vhf@w6yx.stanford.edu, vhfcontesting@contesting.com,
>wsvhf@mailman.qth.net
>Subject: [VHFcontesting] Re: [Yaesu] RFI/Power line noise problem
To: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
>Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 08:34:48 -0700 (PDT)
>
>You need to get with the ARRL and the FCC. The FCC
>has started coming down "hard" on power companies that
>are causing problems. However, your power company
>seems to be willing to work with you, not like some
>that have refused to assist.
>
>Now, it could be sources other than the power company.
> The VHF "sniffer" normally locates in the high 90
>percent of the source of the problems (like 98 or 99
>percent). I was with the telecommunications
>department of a very large utility company for over 10
>years (until they eliminated the department in 1999).
>One of my jobs was to coordinate field personnel who
>located RFI.
>
>One major source of noise is loose hardware on the
>poles. Another is loose "tie wires" around "cross
>over bells". A third is loose connections on guy
>wires and grounding wires. However, these normally
>show up the strongest in the VHF region.
>
>If you can beg, borrow, steal (if you don't already
>have one) a portable receiver that covers the 1.8 to
>30 MHz range. Tune this to the frequency at which the
>noise is the strongest and then start walking your
>neighborhood. Remember that noise can be conducted by
>the power line for a considerable distance.
>
>There are all sorts of things like heating /
>airconditioning thermostats, fish tank heaters, door
>bell transformers, electric fences, and a thousand
>other household and industrial items that can be the
>source of problems.
>
>Are there any signs, especially neon types, in the
>area (like at a convenience store, gas station, etc.).
> Those are notorious for RFI.
>
>The fact that the power company did come out with
>their RFI locating equipment shows a willingness to
>co-operate with you.
>
>Now, you do realize that, especially during the summer
>months, the inherent background static is much worse.
>Often, especially on 160 and 80 meters, this can reach
>well over S-9 (and this on a receiver with a
>calibrated S-9 = 50 microvolts "S" Meter, not one of
>the newer ones that 5 microvolts will give S-9). On
>40 and even 20 meters it can reach S-9. This noise
>level is why many amateurs do not even try to operate
>on 160 and 80 until October or even November and cease
>operating around May 1.
>
>This noise is caused by all sorts of things, distant
>thunderstorms not the least!
>
>Glen, K9STH
>
>
>--- John Geiger <johngeig@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>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
>
>The power companies conclusion is "Sorry, it is not
>our lines, we can do nothing more, good luck."
>
>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.
>
>
>=====
>Glen, K9STH
>
>Web sites
>
>http://home.attbi.com/~k9sth
>http://home.attbi.com/~zcomco
>
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Robert Oler WB5MZO Houston TX
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