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Noise, RFI ?

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Phil Hystad-3

Noise, RFI ?

Using my K3 I was trying to pick up a ZL2 station (New Zealand) around 18.08 MHz this morning (about 9:50 AM PST) when this huge noise blanketed everything out. It was about 30/9 and absolutely solid across the spectrum shown on the P3. Using my KPA500, I switched to the 20 meter band -- same noise, same level, same broadband impact.

I determined that the noise was from roughly 1400 KHz all the way up to 28.05 MHz. All about 30/9. About the time that I finished checking this full MF/HF spectrum of noise it switched off.

Then, it switched on, and stayed on for about 5 seconds, then off again. I turned on my Icom R75. The next time the noise came on I checked it with the R75 and the same noise, same 30/9 level, same broad across the bands.

Obviously man-made or under man control as it switched on and off and was on for various periods of time. This noise seems to be close, like generated in the neighborhood someplace.

Anyone have ideas of the cause. You noise experts (Jim?) should have ideas. I was thinking maybe an arc welding machine but that is just a wild guess. It sure seems to be something that can be switched on and off. It is not periodic in that the on/off switching is at varying intervals. The longest on period is about one minute, the shortest on period about 2 seconds. And, it has been quiet for the last 10 minutes or so.

Thanks for your help.

73, phil, K7PEH
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wa4ta

Re: Noise, RFI ?

I get this type of noise when my wife uses a laminator.
I also get a lot of sporadic noise in the morning around the time people get up which I assume are hair driers and curling irons.
It really could be anything, but probably something one of your neighbors has.
Good luck finding it, if it continues.
73- Tom - wa4ta

> From: [hidden email]
> Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:15:42 -0800
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] Noise, RFI ?
>
> Using my K3 I was trying to pick up a ZL2 station (New Zealand) around 18.08 MHz this morning (about 9:50 AM PST) when this huge noise blanketed everything out. It was about 30/9 and absolutely solid across the spectrum shown on the P3. Using my KPA500, I switched to the 20 meter band -- same noise, same level, same broadband impact.
>
> I determined that the noise was from roughly 1400 KHz all the way up to 28.05 MHz. All about 30/9. About the time that I finished checking this full MF/HF spectrum of noise it switched off.
>
> Then, it switched on, and stayed on for about 5 seconds, then off again. I turned on my Icom R75. The next time the noise came on I checked it with the R75 and the same noise, same 30/9 level, same broad across the bands.
>
> Obviously man-made or under man control as it switched on and off and was on for various periods of time. This noise seems to be close, like generated in the neighborhood someplace.
>
> Anyone have ideas of the cause. You noise experts (Jim?) should have ideas. I was thinking maybe an arc welding machine but that is just a wild guess. It sure seems to be something that can be switched on and off. It is not periodic in that the on/off switching is at varying intervals. The longest on period is about one minute, the shortest on period about 2 seconds. And, it has been quiet for the last 10 minutes or so.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
> ______________________________________________________________
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Matt Zilmer-3

Re: Noise, RFI ?

One of the items that many overlook is in-freezer ice makers. They
can make a lot of broadband noise when the heater is running. Yes -
heater. Once the ice cubes are frozen they need to be ejected. In
order to do this smoothly, the "tray" is heated up just enough to let
the cubes pop loose. The heaters I've seen (and heard) use a type of
PWM applied to a heating element, and the PWM creates broadband RFI.
The heater is usually on for 1-2 minutes, but that probably varies by
manufacturer.

73,
matt W6NIA

On Wed, 19 Feb 2014 13:29:22 -0500, you wrote:

>I get this type of noise when my wife uses a laminator.
>I also get a lot of sporadic noise in the morning around the time people get up which I assume are hair driers and curling irons.
>It really could be anything, but probably something one of your neighbors has.
>Good luck finding it, if it continues.
>73- Tom - wa4ta
>
>
>> From: [hidden email]
>> Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:15:42 -0800
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Noise, RFI ?
>>
>> Using my K3 I was trying to pick up a ZL2 station (New Zealand) around 18.08 MHz this morning (about 9:50 AM PST) when this huge noise blanketed everything out. It was about 30/9 and absolutely solid across the spectrum shown on the P3. Using my KPA500, I switched to the 20 meter band -- same noise, same level, same broadband impact.
>>
>> I determined that the noise was from roughly 1400 KHz all the way up to 28.05 MHz. All about 30/9. About the time that I finished checking this full MF/HF spectrum of noise it switched off.
>>
>> Then, it switched on, and stayed on for about 5 seconds, then off again. I turned on my Icom R75. The next time the noise came on I checked it with the R75 and the same noise, same 30/9 level, same broad across the bands.
>>
>> Obviously man-made or under man control as it switched on and off and was on for various periods of time. This noise seems to be close, like generated in the neighborhood someplace.
>>
>> Anyone have ideas of the cause. You noise experts (Jim?) should have ideas. I was thinking maybe an arc welding machine but that is just a wild guess. It sure seems to be something that can be switched on and off. It is not periodic in that the on/off switching is at varying intervals. The longest on period is about one minute, the shortest on period about 2 seconds. And, it has been quiet for the last 10 minutes or so.
>>
>> Thanks for your help.
>>
>> 73, phil, K7PEH
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>
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Matt Zilmer, W6NIA
--
"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will
spend the first four sharpening the axe." -A. Lincoln
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Phil Hystad-3

Re: Noise, RFI ?

Matt,

Well, then that source of this RFI is ruled out. Ice maker is off and I don't
think it has been on in years -- it may not even work anymore. About the
only time we might need ice is when we have a party of some sort (which is
also rare) that needs ice and we just buy a bag down at the corner market.

phil K7PEH

On Feb 19, 2014, at 11:25 AM, Matt Zilmer <[hidden email]> wrote:

> One of the items that many overlook is in-freezer ice makers. They
> can make a lot of broadband noise when the heater is running. Yes -
> heater. Once the ice cubes are frozen they need to be ejected. In
> order to do this smoothly, the "tray" is heated up just enough to let
> the cubes pop loose. The heaters I've seen (and heard) use a type of
> PWM applied to a heating element, and the PWM creates broadband RFI.
> The heater is usually on for 1-2 minutes, but that probably varies by
> manufacturer.
>
> 73,
> matt W6NIA
>
> On Wed, 19 Feb 2014 13:29:22 -0500, you wrote:
>
>> I get this type of noise when my wife uses a laminator.
>> I also get a lot of sporadic noise in the morning around the time people get up which I assume are hair driers and curling irons.
>> It really could be anything, but probably something one of your neighbors has.
>> Good luck finding it, if it continues.
>> 73- Tom - wa4ta
>>
>>
>>> From: [hidden email]
>>> Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:15:42 -0800
>>> To: [hidden email]
>>> Subject: [Elecraft] Noise, RFI ?
>>>
>>> Using my K3 I was trying to pick up a ZL2 station (New Zealand) around 18.08 MHz this morning (about 9:50 AM PST) when this huge noise blanketed everything out. It was about 30/9 and absolutely solid across the spectrum shown on the P3. Using my KPA500, I switched to the 20 meter band -- same noise, same level, same broadband impact.
>>>
>>> I determined that the noise was from roughly 1400 KHz all the way up to 28.05 MHz. All about 30/9. About the time that I finished checking this full MF/HF spectrum of noise it switched off.
>>>
>>> Then, it switched on, and stayed on for about 5 seconds, then off again. I turned on my Icom R75. The next time the noise came on I checked it with the R75 and the same noise, same 30/9 level, same broad across the bands.
>>>
>>> Obviously man-made or under man control as it switched on and off and was on for various periods of time. This noise seems to be close, like generated in the neighborhood someplace.
>>>
>>> Anyone have ideas of the cause. You noise experts (Jim?) should have ideas. I was thinking maybe an arc welding machine but that is just a wild guess. It sure seems to be something that can be switched on and off. It is not periodic in that the on/off switching is at varying intervals. The longest on period is about one minute, the shortest on period about 2 seconds. And, it has been quiet for the last 10 minutes or so.
>>>
>>> Thanks for your help.
>>>
>>> 73, phil, K7PEH
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
> Matt Zilmer, W6NIA
> --
> "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will
> spend the first four sharpening the axe." -A. Lincoln
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

mcduffie

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

On Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:15:42 -0800, Phil Hystad wrote:

> Anyone have ideas of the cause.

The first thing to look at is your own house, of course. If you can very
temporarily power your radio from a battery, even a UPS (but not one you are
currently using, just to make sure that isn't the source), do that and turn the
entire house power off at the breaker. When that is clean, proceed to look at
the neighborhood. My favorite trick is to toss a small radio like a IC706 up on
the dash with a sniffer antenna on it and drive around.

One more trick that works well if you are experienced is to put the receiver on
AM mode and listen to the characteristics of the noise. If you've been around
awhile, you can sometimes tell a lot more about what you are really looking for.

If you can, record it on AM and SSB, and have several knowledgeable people
listen to it to help steer you to the source. Do it with a direct connection,
not an acoustic pickup, and don't overdo your levels. A good clean recording
can help your detective work.

I believe plasma TVs can sound terrible. I can't say for sure, but I think I
have heard one in my "neighborhood". Nearest neighbors are over a quarter of a
mile away. When the noise in question came up, I went to AM and it sounded like
high frequency arcing all over the bands. Luckily, it hasn't been a problem
lately.

Good luck. I've been fighting one noise for over 20 years here. We can't seem
to isolate the source.

Gary
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

From your message this sounds like a new one
you've not heard before. If so, let's hope it's
temporary so you won't have to locate it. If new,
unlikely your house or some large facility. If new
and persistent, could be a neighbor has a new TV
or appliance -- or the hospital with some new
equipment adding to medical expenses. Temporary
could be a contractor doing some work locally and
(I hope) departing soon!

73, Phil w7ox

On 2/19/14, 10:15 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:
> Anyone have ideas of the cause. You noise experts (Jim?) should have ideas. I was thinking maybe an arc welding machine but that is just a wild guess. It sure seems to be something that can be switched on and off. It is not periodic in that the on/off switching is at varying intervals. The longest on period is about one minute, the shortest on period about 2 seconds. And, it has been quiet for the last 10 minutes or so.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH

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Vic Rosenthal

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by mcduffie

Me too, as high as possible. Gets rid of a massive amount of clicks and
transmitted phase noise!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

On 2/19/2014 12:43 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> My favorite trick is to toss a small radio like a IC706 up

--
73,

Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Noise, RFI ?

Just be careful it doesn't land on your head: The
706 is not what I would call a "small radio".

Better to use a KX1 (had to get an Elecraft rig
into this to make it On Topic) :-)

73, Phil w7ox

On 2/19/14, 1:25 PM, Vic Rosenthal K2VCO wrote:

> Me too, as high as possible. Gets rid of a
> massive amount of clicks and transmitted phase
> noise!
>
> Sorry, couldn't resist.
>
> On 2/19/2014 12:43 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>> My favorite trick is to toss a small radio like
>> a IC706 up
>

Phil Hystad-3

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by mcduffie

It is hard to describe this noise because it lacks any features at all. Think of atmospherics, like background noise that usually sits around S0 to S1 on the S-meter, more on 80 meters in the evening. That sort of thing.

Now, make that noise a solid (no changes, no peaks, no features, absolutely flat across the spectrum) 30/9 at least. The waterfall display is virtually opaque with this noise. The frequency spectrum display is just a band of noise across the whole top part of the P3 display -- just a little space on top where the labels are written.

Then, when I switched from band to band using the KPA500 band switching buttons -- exactly the same thing. But, if it did change, it was slightly worse down around 160 meter band but not enough to say for sure that it was really worse.

Like I said, this would turn off and on a varying intervals just as if someone were turning on some instrument or tool to do things. The entire period of this RF noise and activity was about 10 minutes and it has now shown itself again. It is like someone hauled out their noise machine at 9:45 AM, starting doing things, and then at 9:55 AM or there abouts, he was done.

phil

On Feb 19, 2014, at 12:43 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> On Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:15:42 -0800, Phil Hystad wrote:
>
>> Anyone have ideas of the cause.
>
> The first thing to look at is your own house, of course. If you can very
> temporarily power your radio from a battery, even a UPS (but not one you are
> currently using, just to make sure that isn't the source), do that and turn the
> entire house power off at the breaker. When that is clean, proceed to look at
> the neighborhood. My favorite trick is to toss a small radio like a IC706 up on
> the dash with a sniffer antenna on it and drive around.
>
> One more trick that works well if you are experienced is to put the receiver on
> AM mode and listen to the characteristics of the noise. If you've been around
> awhile, you can sometimes tell a lot more about what you are really looking for.
>
> If you can, record it on AM and SSB, and have several knowledgeable people
> listen to it to help steer you to the source. Do it with a direct connection,
> not an acoustic pickup, and don't overdo your levels. A good clean recording
> can help your detective work.
>
> I believe plasma TVs can sound terrible. I can't say for sure, but I think I
> have heard one in my "neighborhood". Nearest neighbors are over a quarter of a
> mile away. When the noise in question came up, I went to AM and it sounded like
> high frequency arcing all over the bands. Luckily, it hasn't been a problem
> lately.
>
> Good luck. I've been fighting one noise for over 20 years here. We can't seem
> to isolate the source.
>
> Gary
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Bill-3

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

Based on my past experience - I would be thinking an arc welder (or wire
or some such similar). If not that, then you might want to check for
carbon trails on HV insulators along the road (usually very effected by
the weather). As a third guess - and a worst case scenario - a serious
problem in your home electrical system (or a nearby neighbor).

You do need to eliminate the latter ASAP. Do you notice any changes in
line voltage when you experience this noise?

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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Phil Kane-2

Re: Noise, RFI ?

On 2/19/2014 2:23 PM, Bill W2BLC wrote:

> If not that, then you might want to check for
> carbon trails on HV insulators along the road (usually very effected by
> the weather).

When we suspected a power line leak, the noise was usually continuous,
not intermittent. To verify which pole it came from, we used a
8-pound sledge to whack the pole, and if the noise changed, that was the
right spot. Then we would notify the electric utility, having done
their work for them.

That tool, BTW, had a label on it: "For Friendly Entries and Voluntary
Statements" :)
----
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by Bill-3

How do you recommend he go about eliminating the
latter, which appears to be "a nearby neighbor"? ;-)

73, Phil w7ox -- K2#380, K1#18, K3/P3 shipping
this week :-)

On 2/19/14, 2:23 PM, Bill W2BLC wrote:

> Based on my past experience - I would be
> thinking an arc welder (or wire or some such
> similar). If not that, then you might want to
> check for carbon trails on HV insulators along
> the road (usually very effected by the weather).
> As a third guess - and a worst case scenario - a
> serious problem in your home electrical system
> (or a nearby neighbor).
>
> You do need to eliminate the latter ASAP. Do you
> notice any changes in line voltage when you
> experience this noise?
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line
>
>
>
>

Phil Hystad-3

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by Bill-3

All of our electricity comes out of the ground. Everything is underground here except for a few poles a number of blocks away. I have heard that kind of noise before from insulators (dirt, carbon, etc.) and this is definitely not that.

Besides, that would just not have this exact on off switching behavior as if some tool were being used.

phil

On Feb 19, 2014, at 2:23 PM, Bill W2BLC <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Based on my past experience - I would be thinking an arc welder (or wire or some such similar). If not that, then you might want to check for carbon trails on HV insulators along the road (usually very effected by the weather). As a third guess - and a worst case scenario - a serious problem in your home electrical system (or a nearby neighbor).
>
> You do need to eliminate the latter ASAP. Do you notice any changes in line voltage when you experience this noise?
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Raymond Sills

Re: Noise, RFI ?

I'm beginning to like that "arc welder" theory.

73 de Ray
K2ULR

On Feb 19, 2014, at 5:48 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:

> All of our electricity comes out of the ground. Everything is
> underground here except for a few poles a number of blocks away. I
> have heard that kind of noise before from insulators (dirt, carbon,
> etc.) and this is definitely not that.
>
> Besides, that would just not have this exact on off switching
> behavior as if some tool were being used.
>
> phil
>

k6dgw

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

I can't tell you what it is, but I can describe a few things for you:

Neighbor has a plasma TV. The noise is very broad and at low P3 spans
looks just solid as you describe. With a 200 KHz span, you can clearly
see the changing video, it's very apparent. Plasma TV's radiate off the
screen, his is about 300 feet from my tower, and is very strong but
nowhere near 30 over S9. So, if at very wide spans on the P3 it is
still constant, it is likely *not* a plasma TV.

Since it seems to be constant from the BC band to 10m, and is very
strong, either the source is very close or the total source energy must
be high ... very high. If it's not close, it suggests something
industrial or associated with a big power line. I had one instance of
very broad, very strong noise similar to your description. Same
neighbor has a military-grade night vision set-up and we located the
source on a power line. Fortunately for me, our power company has been
fined big bucks for starting fires, it was on a 112KV line and involved
a tree, so they didn't play around, they just fixed it.

My current noise source is a sodium vapor lamp lighting the interstate
off ramp about a mile from here. The lamp is dying, it goes through the
start sequence, appears to be firing up and then dies. It will repeat
in a couple of minutes. The street lamp belongs to CalTrans, I can't
get them to fix it. Then again, I really have no illusions about
getting the State of California to fix anything.

Unfortunately, tracking down noise with a portable radio [I use my KX1]
requires that the noise be present for significant periods. Good luck,
if you find it, I'd like to know the source.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org

On 2/19/2014 2:05 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:

> It is hard to describe this noise because it lacks any features at
> all. Think of atmospherics, like background noise that usually sits
> around S0 to S1 on the S-meter, more on 80 meters in the evening.
> That sort of thing.
>
> Now, make that noise a solid (no changes, no peaks, no features,
> absolutely flat across the spectrum) 30/9 at least. The waterfall
> display is virtually opaque with this noise. The frequency spectrum
> display is just a band of noise across the whole top part of the P3
> display -- just a little space on top where the labels are written.

N5GE

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

In my case, I walked next door and explained that his Plasma TV was
interfering with my radio reception. I then asked him to come to my
shack to see what the problem was. I showed him the signal from the
PTV on my monitor which is connected to the P3 and asked if we could
go to his home and turn the PTV off, which we did.

Upon returning to my shack I showed him that the signal was gone.

After explaining what was hapening I handed him the ARRL RFI book and
showed him the part where it said that removing interference from
appliances was the duty of the owner and told him about how nasty
PTV's are and suggested he take the book home and read it.

I then asked him if he was experiencing interference from my radio
transmitter, to which he replied no.

Problem solved.

Amateure Radio Operator N5GE

On Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:39:54 -0800, you wrote:

>How do you recommend he go about eliminating the
>latter, which appears to be "a nearby neighbor"? ;-)
>
>73, Phil w7ox -- K2#380, K1#18, K3/P3 shipping
>this week :-)
>
>On 2/19/14, 2:23 PM, Bill W2BLC wrote:
>> Based on my past experience - I would be
>> thinking an arc welder (or wire or some such
>> similar). If not that, then you might want to
>> check for carbon trails on HV insulators along
>> the road (usually very effected by the weather).
>> As a third guess - and a worst case scenario - a
>> serious problem in your home electrical system
>> (or a nearby neighbor).
>>
>> You do need to eliminate the latter ASAP. Do you
>> notice any changes in line voltage when you
>> experience this noise?
>>
>> Bill W2BLC K-Line
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
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Amateur Radio Operator N5GE

riese-k3djc

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

I had local power line noise
so
Send a letter / form you can download from the ARRL to both CalTran and
the FCC local office
you will get results,, send to the in charge office of caltran
spend a buck and use USPS ceritfied letter with a return rcpt
it works

Bob K3DJC

>
> My current noise source is a sodium vapor lamp lighting the
> interstate
> off ramp about a mile from here. The lamp is dying, it goes through
> the
> start sequence, appears to be firing up and then dies. It will
> repeat
> in a couple of minutes. The street lamp belongs to CalTrans, I
> can't
> get them to fix it. Then again, I really have no illusions about
> getting the State of California to fix anything.
>
> Unfortunately, tracking down noise with a portable radio [I use my
> KX1]
> requires that the noise be present for significant periods. Good
> luck,
> if you find it, I'd like to know the source.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred K6DGW

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by N5GE

So how did he eliminate the noise from the PTV?

Phil w7ox

On 2/19/14, 3:57 PM, Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
wrote:

> In my case, I walked next door and explained that his Plasma TV was
> interfering with my radio reception. I then asked him to come to my
> shack to see what the problem was. I showed him the signal from the
> PTV on my monitor which is connected to the P3 and asked if we could
> go to his home and turn the PTV off, which we did.
>
> Upon returning to my shack I showed him that the signal was gone.
>
> After explaining what was hapening I handed him the ARRL RFI book and
> showed him the part where it said that removing interference from
> appliances was the duty of the owner and told him about how nasty
> PTV's are and suggested he take the book home and read it.
>
> I then asked him if he was experiencing interference from my radio
> transmitter, to which he replied no.
>
> Problem solved.
>
> Amateure Radio Operator N5GE
>
> On Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:39:54 -0800, you wrote:
>
>> How do you recommend he go about eliminating the
>> latter, which appears to be "a nearby neighbor"? ;-)
>>
>> 73, Phil w7ox -- K2#380, K1#18, K3/P3 shipping
>> this week :-)
>>
>> On 2/19/14, 2:23 PM, Bill W2BLC wrote:
>>> Based on my past experience - I would be
>>> thinking an arc welder (or wire or some such
>>> similar). If not that, then you might want to
>>> check for carbon trails on HV insulators along
>>> the road (usually very effected by the weather).
>>> As a third guess - and a worst case scenario - a
>>> serious problem in your home electrical system
>>> (or a nearby neighbor).
>>>
>>> You do need to eliminate the latter ASAP. Do you
>>> notice any changes in line voltage when you
>>> experience this noise?
>>>
>>> Bill W2BLC K-Line

Raymond Sills

Re: Noise, RFI ?

Maybe he took it back to the store where he purchased it and got a
refund. That would be the best outcome.

73 de Ray
K2ULR

On Feb 19, 2014, at 7:22 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote:

> So how did he eliminate the noise from the PTV?
>
> Phil w7ox

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Matt Zilmer-3

Re: Noise, RFI ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

I suggest you contact your electric utility. Most utiltiies have a
power quality department, and in general the staff are *very* well
equipped and trained to locate RF noise if it's on their system. Some
utilities call this their Amateur Radio division or department.

Years ago, I had symptoms similar to yours except for the timing. I
had Edison's power quality people out, and they found the problem: An
irrigation pump transformer with an open secondary, arcing. Started
at 5 PM every day, which is when the timed contactor made the path for
the arc. Even the K3's NB couldn't keep up with this interference,
but it helped quite a bit.

The power quality tech permanently removed the connection to the
faulty equipment and the problem has not returned.

Just an idea. Most of these problems are utility system based, but
not all of them.

73,
matt W6NIA

On Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:05:17 -0800, you wrote:

>It is hard to describe this noise because it lacks any features at all. Think of atmospherics, like background noise that usually sits around S0 to S1 on the S-meter, more on 80 meters in the evening. That sort of thing.
>
>Now, make that noise a solid (no changes, no peaks, no features, absolutely flat across the spectrum) 30/9 at least. The waterfall display is virtually opaque with this noise. The frequency spectrum display is just a band of noise across the whole top part of the P3 display -- just a little space on top where the labels are written.
>
>Then, when I switched from band to band using the KPA500 band switching buttons -- exactly the same thing. But, if it did change, it was slightly worse down around 160 meter band but not enough to say for sure that it was really worse.
>
>Like I said, this would turn off and on a varying intervals just as if someone were turning on some instrument or tool to do things. The entire period of this RF noise and activity was about 10 minutes and it has now shown itself again. It is like someone hauled out their noise machine at 9:45 AM, starting doing things, and then at 9:55 AM or there abouts, he was done.
>
>phil
>
>
>On Feb 19, 2014, at 12:43 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:15:42 -0800, Phil Hystad wrote:
>>
>>> Anyone have ideas of the cause.
>>
>> The first thing to look at is your own house, of course. If you can very
>> temporarily power your radio from a battery, even a UPS (but not one you are
>> currently using, just to make sure that isn't the source), do that and turn the
>> entire house power off at the breaker. When that is clean, proceed to look at
>> the neighborhood. My favorite trick is to toss a small radio like a IC706 up on
>> the dash with a sniffer antenna on it and drive around.
>>
>> One more trick that works well if you are experienced is to put the receiver on
>> AM mode and listen to the characteristics of the noise. If you've been around
>> awhile, you can sometimes tell a lot more about what you are really looking for.
>>
>> If you can, record it on AM and SSB, and have several knowledgeable people
>> listen to it to help steer you to the source. Do it with a direct connection,
>> not an acoustic pickup, and don't overdo your levels. A good clean recording
>> can help your detective work.
>>
>> I believe plasma TVs can sound terrible. I can't say for sure, but I think I
>> have heard one in my "neighborhood". Nearest neighbors are over a quarter of a
>> mile away. When the noise in question came up, I went to AM and it sounded like
>> high frequency arcing all over the bands. Luckily, it hasn't been a problem
>> lately.
>>
>> Good luck. I've been fighting one noise for over 20 years here. We can't seem
>> to isolate the source.
>>
>> Gary
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