+++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 22:19:52 -0500 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RFI tracking Cc: "elecraft_list" To: "Jeff Burns" From: Dave Gingrich K9DC On Friday, Feb 14, 2003, at 19:27 EST, Jeff Burns wrote: > I have an annoying power line noise on the low end of the 80m band. In > an > effort to find it I have been walking around the neighborhood with my > K2 in > a bag around my neck and a small loop antenna. I can hear that noise > under > just about all the power lines. I need a VHF AM receiver to narrow the > search area. Any suggestions for a low cost receiver would be > appreciated. Personally, I use the AM broadcast radio in my car and drive around. If you can identify the specific power line it is coming from, the local utility can take it from there. It should not be necessary to identify the specific pole, that is what those guys get paid to do, but general ideas do help them immensely. Because of the AGC action in the car radio, you cannot just tune to a blank spot on the dial. You need to find an out-of-town AM station of moderate strength, one that you can normally hear clearly, but readily disappears into the noise going by the power lines (I use a 5 KW station about 60 miles away). Usually noises like this are in the neighborhood, but they may be a mile or more away, therefore the on-foot approach may provide too much precision, i.e. zoom out a little, HI. =========================== Dave Gingrich, K9DC Indianapolis, Indiana USA =========================== +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2003 08:41:09 -0600 From: "Kenneth E. Harker" To: Jeff Burns Cc: elecraft_list Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RFI tracking On Fri, Feb 14, 2003 at 07:27:42PM -0500, Jeff Burns wrote: > I have an annoying power line noise on the low end of the 80m band. In an > effort to find it I have been walking around the neighborhood with my K2 in > a bag around my neck and a small loop antenna. I can hear that noise under > just about all the power lines. I need a VHF AM receiver to narrow the > search area. Any suggestions for a low cost receiver would be appreciated. > > I am considering building the "Simple TRF Receiver for Tracking RFI" > described by K1BQT in the March 2001 QST. Another options is the Radio Shack > "AM/FM/VHF-air and TV sound" receiver. It cost $32. I figure it will need > shielding and a directional antenna. Does anyone have any experience with > ether of these? You can get some ideas for euqipment at eham.net: http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/50 The VK3YNG receiver is the Cadillac of VHF foxhunting gear, with autoranging attenuation built in, but it may be out of your price range. Building a WB2HOL tape measure yagi would be a fun way to get a hand-held directional antenna for VHF. Arrow Antennas (http://www.arrowantennas.com/) also has some gear for direction finding, including a magnetic loop antenna, handheld VHF yagis, and step attenuators. Another excellent source for foxhunting ideas is: http://www.homingin.com/ -- +++++++++++++++ From: "Stuart Rohre" To: "Jeff Burns" , "elecraft_list" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RFI tracking Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 11:11:25 -0600 Jeff, You should be able to find an aircraft band receiver at Radio Shack, they even had a kit one at one time. That will give you AM and more directional line on the noise source from power lines since it will be a VHF harmonic of the lower frequencies. In "Nuts and Volts" magazine there are usually ads of other kit receivers. Ramsey is another source of kits. 72, Stuart K5KVH ++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: "Bob Lewis (AA4PB)" From: "Bob Lewis (AA4PB)" To: "elecraft_list" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RFI tracking Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 16:52:29 -0500 MFJ may still have their RFI tracking receiver available. ++++++++++++++++