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Kx3, wsjtx, broadband noise

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Tox

Kx3, wsjtx, broadband noise

Hoping someone has a suggestion for how I can work around some local QRM.

I have a kx3 with filters installed
I have wsjtx running.
I've recently added a px3 to see if it would help provide insight.

I find intermittent broadband noise that desenses my receiver on multiple
bands. 1) It appears to either be On or Off, no visible fading.
(Transitions are <<1 second). Sometimes a little flickering but usually
extends for minutes to hours.
2) When on, signals in waterfall completely disappear or are reduced to
just a couple nearby (loud) stations
3) when on, it wipes out at least one whole band (usually 20m, sometimes
40m as well).
4) when on, the full 200khz slice in px3 goes green snow
5) still happens if I throw breaker in my subpanel and am running off of
batteries
6) with 30 min of fiddling, haven't been able to see it in a kiwisdr node
less than a mile away
7) pskreporter still shows me to be getting out (to the extent I can)

Broadband, no visible peaks, so not sure I could triangulate it by
wardriving with a Kerberos.

Any suggestions?

Is there a way/practice to maybe leverage the filters to increase rejection
of the interference?

Thanks in advance,
Scott
AD6YT
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Ken G Kopp

Re: Kx3, wsjtx, broadband noise

A possibility is an ionospheric sounder ...

In the past there were many hundreds of 'em operated by "everyone".

Used to be plagued by one a few miles north of Denver. Another was located
behind the NBS in Boulder.

Give Google a peek ....

73

K0PP

On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 15:14 Tox <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hoping someone has a suggestion for how I can work around some local QRM.
>
> I have a kx3 with filters installed
> I have wsjtx running.
> I've recently added a px3 to see if it would help provide insight.
>
> I find intermittent broadband noise that desenses my receiver on multiple
> bands. 1) It appears to either be On or Off, no visible fading.
> (Transitions are <<1 second). Sometimes a little flickering but usually
> extends for minutes to hours.
> 2) When on, signals in waterfall completely disappear or are reduced to
> just a couple nearby (loud) stations
> 3) when on, it wipes out at least one whole band (usually 20m, sometimes
> 40m as well).
> 4) when on, the full 200khz slice in px3 goes green snow
> 5) still happens if I throw breaker in my subpanel and am running off of
> batteries
> 6) with 30 min of fiddling, haven't been able to see it in a kiwisdr node
> less than a mile away
> 7) pskreporter still shows me to be getting out (to the extent I can)
>
> Broadband, no visible peaks, so not sure I could triangulate it by
> wardriving with a Kerberos.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Is there a way/practice to maybe leverage the filters to increase rejection
> of the interference?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Scott
> AD6YT
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

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Jim Rhodes-2

Re: Kx3, wsjtx, broadband noise

In reply to this post by Tox

Well, it sounds like it is something outside your QTH. Unless you have some
solar charge controllers for off grid power, or some other possible noise
maker. Maybe go mobile in the neighborhood when the noise seems to be on
for a while. If you have a directional antenna you might be able to get a
vector that way.

On Sun, Feb 2, 2020 at 4:14 PM Tox <[hidden email]> wrote:

--
Jim K0XU
[hidden email]
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Don Wilhelm

Re: Kx3, wsjtx, broadband noise

In reply to this post by Tox

Scott,

It would appear as though you are receiving noise from somewhere. Your
steps have eliminated your house, but your neighbors may be the source.

I don't have an easy answer, but I don't think it is in your KX3. To
test, does it occur if you connect a dummy load? If not, it is coming
in on your antenna.

Filters and NR and NB are not likely to tackle it adequately. You will
have to locate the source and send a notice to the FCC for action. You
can use the KX3 portable with a short antenna to try to localize the source.

Sounds like the interference from "grow lights" that have been reported
in the past. Are any of your neighbors starting gardening plants or
growing pot under UV Grow Lights?

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/2/2020 5:13 PM, Tox wrote:

Tox

Re: Kx3, wsjtx, broadband noise

It is much like what I recall when the hydroponics shop was still in
business a couple blocks away. But in that case the source was never on
less than 15 min at a shot.

Part of what is maddening about current is that duration is completely
random, seeing blips during ft8 turnarounds, followed by blocks of 30 min
solid hash, 5 min free, completely unpredictable. I can get ft8 cycles to
complete *just enough* to not rage quit and shut the radio off.

And 15/30 seem less affected than 20/40, which is Confusing. Since the
whole band goes I wouldn't expect it to follow that sort of harmonic
behavior.

What would a 20m spark gap transmitter look like on modern gear?

On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 9:29 PM Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Scott,
>
> It would appear as though you are receiving noise from somewhere. Your
> steps have eliminated your house, but your neighbors may be the source.
>
> I don't have an easy answer, but I don't think it is in your KX3. To
> test, does it occur if you connect a dummy load? If not, it is coming
> in on your antenna.
>
> Filters and NR and NB are not likely to tackle it adequately. You will
> have to locate the source and send a notice to the FCC for action. You
> can use the KX3 portable with a short antenna to try to localize the
> source.
>
> Sounds like the interference from "grow lights" that have been reported
> in the past. Are any of your neighbors starting gardening plants or
> growing pot under UV Grow Lights?
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 2/2/2020 5:13 PM, Tox wrote:
> > Hoping someone has a suggestion for how I can work around some local QRM.
> >
> > I have a kx3 with filters installed
> > I have wsjtx running.
> > I've recently added a px3 to see if it would help provide insight.
> >
> > I find intermittent broadband noise that desenses my receiver on multiple
> > bands. 1) It appears to either be On or Off, no visible fading.
> > (Transitions are <<1 second). Sometimes a little flickering but usually
> > extends for minutes to hours.
> > 2) When on, signals in waterfall completely disappear or are reduced to
> > just a couple nearby (loud) stations
> > 3) when on, it wipes out at least one whole band (usually 20m, sometimes
> > 40m as well).
> > 4) when on, the full 200khz slice in px3 goes green snow
> > 5) still happens if I throw breaker in my subpanel and am running off of
> > batteries
> > 6) with 30 min of fiddling, haven't been able to see it in a kiwisdr node
> > less than a mile away
> > 7) pskreporter still shows me to be getting out (to the extent I can)
> >
> > Broadband, no visible peaks, so not sure I could triangulate it by
> > wardriving with a Kerberos.
> >
> > Any suggestions?
> >
>

Tox

Re: Kx3, wsjtx, broadband noise

Hm. And as soon as I send that I check, and 15/30m has 15dB of odd surging
over a 1-2Hz cycle. Maybe it really it taking everything out

On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 9:40 PM Tox <[hidden email]> wrote:

> It is much like what I recall when the hydroponics shop was still in
> business a couple blocks away. But in that case the source was never on
> less than 15 min at a shot.
>
> Part of what is maddening about current is that duration is completely
> random, seeing blips during ft8 turnarounds, followed by blocks of 30 min
> solid hash, 5 min free, completely unpredictable. I can get ft8 cycles to
> complete *just enough* to not rage quit and shut the radio off.
>
> And 15/30 seem less affected than 20/40, which is Confusing. Since the
> whole band goes I wouldn't expect it to follow that sort of harmonic
> behavior.
>
>
>
> What would a 20m spark gap transmitter look like on modern gear?
>
> On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 9:29 PM Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Scott,
>>
>> It would appear as though you are receiving noise from somewhere. Your
>> steps have eliminated your house, but your neighbors may be the source.
>>
>> I don't have an easy answer, but I don't think it is in your KX3. To
>> test, does it occur if you connect a dummy load? If not, it is coming
>> in on your antenna.
>>
>> Filters and NR and NB are not likely to tackle it adequately. You will
>> have to locate the source and send a notice to the FCC for action. You
>> can use the KX3 portable with a short antenna to try to localize the
>> source.
>>
>> Sounds like the interference from "grow lights" that have been reported
>> in the past. Are any of your neighbors starting gardening plants or
>> growing pot under UV Grow Lights?
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 2/2/2020 5:13 PM, Tox wrote:
>> > Hoping someone has a suggestion for how I can work around some local
>> QRM.
>> >
>> > I have a kx3 with filters installed
>> > I have wsjtx running.
>> > I've recently added a px3 to see if it would help provide insight.
>> >
>> > I find intermittent broadband noise that desenses my receiver on
>> multiple
>> > bands. 1) It appears to either be On or Off, no visible fading.
>> > (Transitions are <<1 second). Sometimes a little flickering but usually
>> > extends for minutes to hours.
>> > 2) When on, signals in waterfall completely disappear or are reduced to
>> > just a couple nearby (loud) stations
>> > 3) when on, it wipes out at least one whole band (usually 20m, sometimes
>> > 40m as well).
>> > 4) when on, the full 200khz slice in px3 goes green snow
>> > 5) still happens if I throw breaker in my subpanel and am running off of
>> > batteries
>> > 6) with 30 min of fiddling, haven't been able to see it in a kiwisdr
>> node
>> > less than a mile away
>> > 7) pskreporter still shows me to be getting out (to the extent I can)
>> >
>> > Broadband, no visible peaks, so not sure I could triangulate it by
>> > wardriving with a Kerberos.
>> >
>> > Any suggestions?
>> >
>>
>

Tox

Re: Kx3, wsjtx, broadband noise

Yeah, all bands. Then suddenly clears, signals sprout all over the
waterfall and are promptly silenced once more.

On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 9:44 PM Tox <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hm. And as soon as I send that I check, and 15/30m has 15dB of odd surging
> over a 1-2Hz cycle. Maybe it really it taking everything out
>
> On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 9:40 PM Tox <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> It is much like what I recall when the hydroponics shop was still in
>> business a couple blocks away. But in that case the source was never on
>> less than 15 min at a shot.
>>
>> Part of what is maddening about current is that duration is completely
>> random, seeing blips during ft8 turnarounds, followed by blocks of 30 min
>> solid hash, 5 min free, completely unpredictable. I can get ft8 cycles to
>> complete *just enough* to not rage quit and shut the radio off.
>>
>> And 15/30 seem less affected than 20/40, which is Confusing. Since the
>> whole band goes I wouldn't expect it to follow that sort of harmonic
>> behavior.
>>
>>
>>
>> What would a 20m spark gap transmitter look like on modern gear?
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 9:29 PM Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> Scott,
>>>
>>> It would appear as though you are receiving noise from somewhere. Your
>>> steps have eliminated your house, but your neighbors may be the source.
>>>
>>> I don't have an easy answer, but I don't think it is in your KX3. To
>>> test, does it occur if you connect a dummy load? If not, it is coming
>>> in on your antenna.
>>>
>>> Filters and NR and NB are not likely to tackle it adequately. You will
>>> have to locate the source and send a notice to the FCC for action. You
>>> can use the KX3 portable with a short antenna to try to localize the
>>> source.
>>>
>>> Sounds like the interference from "grow lights" that have been reported
>>> in the past. Are any of your neighbors starting gardening plants or
>>> growing pot under UV Grow Lights?
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>> On 2/2/2020 5:13 PM, Tox wrote:
>>> > Hoping someone has a suggestion for how I can work around some local
>>> QRM.
>>> >
>>> > I have a kx3 with filters installed
>>> > I have wsjtx running.
>>> > I've recently added a px3 to see if it would help provide insight.
>>> >
>>> > I find intermittent broadband noise that desenses my receiver on
>>> multiple
>>> > bands. 1) It appears to either be On or Off, no visible fading.
>>> > (Transitions are <<1 second). Sometimes a little flickering but usually
>>> > extends for minutes to hours.
>>> > 2) When on, signals in waterfall completely disappear or are reduced to
>>> > just a couple nearby (loud) stations
>>> > 3) when on, it wipes out at least one whole band (usually 20m,
>>> sometimes
>>> > 40m as well).
>>> > 4) when on, the full 200khz slice in px3 goes green snow
>>> > 5) still happens if I throw breaker in my subpanel and am running off
>>> of
>>> > batteries
>>> > 6) with 30 min of fiddling, haven't been able to see it in a kiwisdr
>>> node
>>> > less than a mile away
>>> > 7) pskreporter still shows me to be getting out (to the extent I can)
>>> >
>>> > Broadband, no visible peaks, so not sure I could triangulate it by
>>> > wardriving with a Kerberos.
>>> >
>>> > Any suggestions?
>>> >
>>>
>>

Tox

Re: Kx3, wsjtx, broadband noise

In any case, doesn't sound like there's any particular Elecraft filtering
wizardry I can engage.

Given that they've repeatedly slipped K4 dates, now wondering if I should
cancel my K4D.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

Scott
AD6YT

On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 9:50 PM Tox <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Yeah, all bands. Then suddenly clears, signals sprout all over the
> waterfall and are promptly silenced once more.
>
> On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 9:44 PM Tox <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Hm. And as soon as I send that I check, and 15/30m has 15dB of odd
>> surging over a 1-2Hz cycle. Maybe it really it taking everything out
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 9:40 PM Tox <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> It is much like what I recall when the hydroponics shop was still in
>>> business a couple blocks away. But in that case the source was never on
>>> less than 15 min at a shot.
>>>
>>> Part of what is maddening about current is that duration is completely
>>> random, seeing blips during ft8 turnarounds, followed by blocks of 30 min
>>> solid hash, 5 min free, completely unpredictable. I can get ft8 cycles to
>>> complete *just enough* to not rage quit and shut the radio off.
>>>
>>> And 15/30 seem less affected than 20/40, which is Confusing. Since the
>>> whole band goes I wouldn't expect it to follow that sort of harmonic
>>> behavior.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What would a 20m spark gap transmitter look like on modern gear?
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 9:29 PM Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Scott,
>>>>
>>>> It would appear as though you are receiving noise from somewhere. Your
>>>> steps have eliminated your house, but your neighbors may be the source.
>>>>
>>>> I don't have an easy answer, but I don't think it is in your KX3. To
>>>> test, does it occur if you connect a dummy load? If not, it is coming
>>>> in on your antenna.
>>>>
>>>> Filters and NR and NB are not likely to tackle it adequately. You will
>>>> have to locate the source and send a notice to the FCC for action. You
>>>> can use the KX3 portable with a short antenna to try to localize the
>>>> source.
>>>>
>>>> Sounds like the interference from "grow lights" that have been reported
>>>> in the past. Are any of your neighbors starting gardening plants or
>>>> growing pot under UV Grow Lights?
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>
>>>> On 2/2/2020 5:13 PM, Tox wrote:
>>>> > Hoping someone has a suggestion for how I can work around some local
>>>> QRM.
>>>> >
>>>> > I have a kx3 with filters installed
>>>> > I have wsjtx running.
>>>> > I've recently added a px3 to see if it would help provide insight.
>>>> >
>>>> > I find intermittent broadband noise that desenses my receiver on
>>>> multiple
>>>> > bands. 1) It appears to either be On or Off, no visible fading.
>>>> > (Transitions are <<1 second). Sometimes a little flickering but
>>>> usually
>>>> > extends for minutes to hours.
>>>> > 2) When on, signals in waterfall completely disappear or are reduced
>>>> to
>>>> > just a couple nearby (loud) stations
>>>> > 3) when on, it wipes out at least one whole band (usually 20m,
>>>> sometimes
>>>> > 40m as well).
>>>> > 4) when on, the full 200khz slice in px3 goes green snow
>>>> > 5) still happens if I throw breaker in my subpanel and am running off
>>>> of
>>>> > batteries
>>>> > 6) with 30 min of fiddling, haven't been able to see it in a kiwisdr
>>>> node
>>>> > less than a mile away
>>>> > 7) pskreporter still shows me to be getting out (to the extent I can)
>>>> >
>>>> > Broadband, no visible peaks, so not sure I could triangulate it by
>>>> > wardriving with a Kerberos.
>>>> >
>>>> > Any suggestions?
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>

Jim Brown-10

Re: Kx3, wsjtx, broadband noise

In reply to this post by Tox

On 2/2/2020 2:13 PM, Tox wrote:
> Hoping someone has a suggestion for how I can work around some local QRM.

http://k9yc.com/KillingReceiveNoise.pdf
http://k9yc.com/KillingRXNoiseVisalia.pdf

73, Jim K9YC

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