Elecraft

[OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

Classic

List

Threaded

10 messages Options

ae4pb

[OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

Just moved to a new QTH and there are high voltage power lines cutting
across the corner of our property running NW direction. The house is on the
East side of the lines.

Is it reasonable to expect good operability or is it a wash? I don't want to
go through the troubles if I'll just be frustrated.

Was looking to do a 60' tower for the high bands (I'll still be below the
lines height wise), multiband vertical (low bands 80/40/30) , and
dipole(80/40).

Vertical is planned to have 60 or more radials.

Thanks in advance.

Jerry D. Moore aka AE4PB

______________________________________________________________
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]

N4ST - Jim

Re: [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

Jerry,

I'm sure you can make something work. I used to have HV power lines about
150 yards from my house.
It was only a problem during rain/snow/fog with conduction across the
insulators.
I had a cubical quad and could identify the offending pole and could
likewise null out the noise.
Oddly, I don't recall there being a problem on the 80m or 40m dipoles.
You could always do a quick noise check with a mobile HF rig or a handheld
AM shortwave receiver.

__________
73,
Jim - N4ST

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On
Behalf Of [hidden email]
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 09:50
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

Just moved to a new QTH and there are high voltage power lines cutting
across the corner of our property running NW direction. The house is on the
East side of the lines.

Is it reasonable to expect good operability or is it a wash? I don't want to
go through the troubles if I'll just be frustrated.

Was looking to do a 60' tower for the high bands (I'll still be below the
lines height wise), multiband vertical (low bands 80/40/30) , and
dipole(80/40).

Vertical is planned to have 60 or more radials.

Thanks in advance.

Jerry D. Moore aka AE4PB

______________________________________________________________
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]

______________________________________________________________
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]

NK7Z

Re: [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

Or use a tinySA, and take a look at entire bands at one time... I have
found that the tinySA is a real assist in correlating RFI sources. See:

https://www.nk7z.net/

to get to my base page, or

https://www.nk7z.net/tinysa/

to go directly to the article.

At the end of the tinySA article is a photo of my 80 Meter RFI, as
viewed by a tinySA, and a 6BTV with 40 radials, ground mounted. The
source is 4 blocks from the antenna. This will give you an idea of what
you will be able to do with the tinySA RFI wise.

...and to keep it Elecraft related, I will be connecting my tinySA to
the RX out jack on the K3.

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 4/27/21 7:03 AM, N4ST - Jim wrote:

> Jerry,
>
> I'm sure you can make something work. I used to have HV power lines about
> 150 yards from my house.
> It was only a problem during rain/snow/fog with conduction across the
> insulators.
> I had a cubical quad and could identify the offending pole and could
> likewise null out the noise.
> Oddly, I don't recall there being a problem on the 80m or 40m dipoles.
> You could always do a quick noise check with a mobile HF rig or a handheld
> AM shortwave receiver.
>
> __________
> 73,
> Jim - N4ST
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On
> Behalf Of [hidden email]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 09:50
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?
>
> Just moved to a new QTH and there are high voltage power lines cutting
> across the corner of our property running NW direction. The house is on the
> East side of the lines.
>
> Is it reasonable to expect good operability or is it a wash? I don't want to
> go through the troubles if I'll just be frustrated.
>
> Was looking to do a 60' tower for the high bands (I'll still be below the
> lines height wise), multiband vertical (low bands 80/40/30) , and
> dipole(80/40).
>
> Vertical is planned to have 60 or more radials.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Jerry D. Moore aka AE4PB
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

N4ZR

Re: [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

In reply to this post by N4ST - Jim

I recall reading on the RFI reflector that HV transmission lines are
rarely a problem, or at least not for long, because power companies lose
real money when power leaked, so they had a strong incentive to repair
problems as soon as possible.

I have two 500 kv transmission lines that run beyond the entire west
edge of my property about 200 feet away, and a 7500-volt secondary
distribution line in an easement right on the property line. Initially I
thought one or both was giving me trouble, but I took a 136-MHz DF rig
out there and established, to my satisfaction, that the transmission and
the distribution line were not the problem. At least in this vicinity,
a far bigger problem is old distribution hardware - transformers,
lightning arrestors and so on, which the power company plans to attack
wholesale next week. It will be interesting!

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at <http://beta.reversebeacon.net>.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

On 4/27/2021 10:03 AM, N4ST - Jim wrote:

Bill Lederer

Re: [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

In reply to this post by ae4pb

Here is a shot of my QTH back when I lived in Lake Forest:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/110+W+Old+Elm+Rd,+Lake+Forest,+IL+60045/@42.2181966,-87.8488795,338m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x880feaa987ea773f:0x8c16ace134e48f27!8m2!3d42.2183734!4d-87.849711

You can see the shadows of the huge HV power lines on the right side, just
short of Skokie Valley Road.

I had three monobanders at 50 feet and did not notice any noise.

Here is a shot of how big those lines are:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2180154,-87.8468206,3a,75y,90h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAMtRit9ZqO-_sQ2LgMvYrg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DAMtRit9ZqO-_sQ2LgMvYrg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D186.00862%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

w8lvn

On Tue, Apr 27, 2021 at 8:50 AM <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Just moved to a new QTH and there are high voltage power lines cutting
> across the corner of our property running NW direction. The house is on the
> East side of the lines.
>
> Is it reasonable to expect good operability or is it a wash? I don't want
> to
> go through the troubles if I'll just be frustrated.
>
> Was looking to do a 60' tower for the high bands (I'll still be below the
> lines height wise), multiband vertical (low bands 80/40/30) , and
> dipole(80/40).
>
> Vertical is planned to have 60 or more radials.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Jerry D. Moore aka AE4PB
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

--
--w8lvn--
______________________________________________________________
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]

john@kk9a.com

Re: [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

In reply to this post by ae4pb

Probably more RFI will come from neighboring homes but it's easy to
check with a receiver before installing your tower. If there is noise
from faulty power line hardware the power company will fix it.

GL
John KK9A

ae4pb wrote:
Just moved to a new QTH and there are high voltage power lines cutting
across the corner of our property running NW direction. The house is on the
East side of the lines.

Is it reasonable to expect good operability or is it a wash? I don't want to
go through the troubles if I'll just be frustrated.

Was looking to do a 60' tower for the high bands (I'll still be below the
lines height wise), multiband vertical (low bands 80/40/30) , and
dipole(80/40).

Vertical is planned to have 60 or more radials.

Thanks in advance.

Jerry D. Moore aka AE4PB

______________________________________________________________
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]

MIKE ZANE

Re: [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

Just be glad all you guys checking power lines don't live in CA with PG&E. For sure. Mike n6zw

> On 04/27/2021 10:15 AM [hidden email] wrote:
>
>
> Probably more RFI will come from neighboring homes but it's easy to
> check with a receiver before installing your tower. If there is noise
> from faulty power line hardware the power company will fix it.
>
> GL
> John KK9A
>
>
>
> ae4pb wrote:
> Just moved to a new QTH and there are high voltage power lines cutting
> across the corner of our property running NW direction. The house is on the
> East side of the lines.
>
> Is it reasonable to expect good operability or is it a wash? I don't want to
> go through the troubles if I'll just be frustrated.
>
> Was looking to do a 60' tower for the high bands (I'll still be below the
> lines height wise), multiband vertical (low bands 80/40/30) , and
> dipole(80/40).
>
> Vertical is planned to have 60 or more radials.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Jerry D. Moore aka AE4PB
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

k6mrmagnet

Re: [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

“Just be glad all you guys checking power lines don't live in CA with PG&E.”

It took me several years to finally crack the bureaucracy at PG&E. The closer you get to the repair techs/linemen, the better it gets. Usually one or two PUC complaints will get you in contact with the local “noise” guy, who doesn’t work in the same division as the power guys. He is “communications”. Turned out my noise guy’s office was only a few miles from my house. But they keep them a secret.

Now getting a lineman out is pretty easy, and they are the easiest to work with. Tell them which pole is making noise and they go to work.

Ken K6MR

From: MIKE ZANE<mailto:[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:33
To: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>; [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

Just be glad all you guys checking power lines don't live in CA with PG&E. For sure. Mike n6zw

______________________________________________________________
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]

______________________________________________________________
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]

Josh Fiden

Re: [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

If it’s something a lineman can fix, that’s easy and you’re home free. In my case the problems were usually either old style insulators, or just an ancient pole that needs to be rebuilt. That requires at least a 2-man crew so work needs to be scheduled. Getting on the schedule can drag out. You’re 100% right, a PUC complaint will get things moving.

I didn’t find the noise guy to be super helpful. Just as easy for me to ID the pole and have a lineman write it up. They were already aware which hardware was old junk. I think my noise/comm guy retired. Maybe same guy you had.

73
Josh W6XU

Sent from my iPad

> On Apr 27, 2021, at 11:59 AM, Ken K6MR <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> “Just be glad all you guys checking power lines don't live in CA with PG&E.”
>
> It took me several years to finally crack the bureaucracy at PG&E. The closer you get to the repair techs/linemen, the better it gets. Usually one or two PUC complaints will get you in contact with the local “noise” guy, who doesn’t work in the same division as the power guys. He is “communications”. Turned out my noise guy’s office was only a few miles from my house. But they keep them a secret.
>
> Now getting a lineman out is pretty easy, and they are the easiest to work with. Tell them which pole is making noise and they go to work.
>
> Ken K6MR
>
>
> From: MIKE ZANE<mailto:[hidden email]>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:33
> To: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>; [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?
>
> Just be glad all you guys checking power lines don't live in CA with PG&E. For sure. Mike n6zw
>> On 04/27/2021 10:15 AM [hidden email] wrote:
>>
>>
>> Probably more RFI will come from neighboring homes but it's easy to
>> check with a receiver before installing your tower. If there is noise
>> from faulty power line hardware the power company will fix it.
>>
>> GL
>> John KK9A
>>
>>
>>
>> ae4pb wrote:
>> Just moved to a new QTH and there are high voltage power lines cutting
>> across the corner of our property running NW direction. The house is on the
>> East side of the lines.
>>
>> Is it reasonable to expect good operability or is it a wash? I don't want to
>> go through the troubles if I'll just be frustrated.
>>
>> Was looking to do a 60' tower for the high bands (I'll still be below the
>> lines height wise), multiband vertical (low bands 80/40/30) , and
>> dipole(80/40).
>>
>> Vertical is planned to have 60 or more radials.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>> Jerry D. Moore aka AE4PB
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

k6mrmagnet

Re: [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

Yes, the “noise guy” is only useful for making contact with the linemen. The one up here really does not want to be bothered. Once I convinced him that I knew what I was doing he just passed on the info to the scheduler.

All of my problems so far have been simple items. Lightning suppressors seem to be a big problem up here. One lineman told me they changed vendors to a new style and he’s seen quite a few go bad.

My noise guy is still around, office in Cottonwood, just south of here. Friendly enough, and does help the process move forward.

Ken K6MR

From: Josh Fiden<mailto:[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 12:32
To: Ken K6MR<mailto:[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [OT] Ham Radio near high voltage power lines?

If it’s something a lineman can fix, that’s easy and you’re home free. In my case the problems were usually either old style insulators, or just an ancient pole that needs to be rebuilt. That requires at least a 2-man crew so work needs to be scheduled. Getting on the schedule can drag out. You’re 100% right, a PUC complaint will get things moving.

I didn’t find the noise guy to be super helpful. Just as easy for me to ID the pole and have a lineman write it up. They were already aware which hardware was old junk. I think my noise/comm guy retired. Maybe same guy you had.

73
Josh W6XU

Sent from my iPad