i'm nodding my head vigorously to everything that Cliff has written, including his experience with the false positive.
I was having a terrible noise problem at my QTH that was blowing out several bands. ? Turning off my main did not help at all, nor did putting chokes on absolutely everything. ?
First I thought it was coming from the next-door neighbors large screen TV power supply, but it didn't correlate. Then I had myself convinced it was other neighbors' LED lights, but after giving her biscuits for her dog and asking her politely to simply try unplugging them briefly that didn't help either! Then I thought it was the transformer across the street even though the pattern was too regular¡
Long story short, I got a DXengineering Noiseloop flag antenna for hunting HF RFI (cardioid pattern with deep sharp null), hooked it to my IC 705, walked around the neighborhood and it pointed at a next door neighbor's back bedroom! ?
I brought them cookies and treats for their cat, had the dad listen first on an on an ?unthreatening looking little a.m. radio, then brought over my RFI hunting rig and showed him the pattern on the waterfall. ?
After a little head scratching he ?asked if if it could be the LEDs in his daughter's bedroom! ? I said yes, and he ran into unplug them, and the noise went away! ? He was very pleased with himself and of course I was happy too.?
I bought his daughter a new and better set of lights. ? we all smile and wave at each other now and the dad also gave me some stuff from his garden, which was delicious.
Good luck and 73,
Connie W6EFI
On Fri, Oct 18, 2024 at 06:07, Cliff Sojourner K6CLS via groups.io < cls@...> wrote: hi David, ouch, that stinks!? that kind of broadband noise most likely is the inverter(s) on the solar panel system.? but it could also be power line / insulator noise.
or, it could be in your house.? have you tried, turn off the house main breaker, and then sleuth around?? run an HF receiver on battery.?? LED lights?? Wall wart gone bad?
is the noise recently worse?? you indicated the noise isn't much reduced at night.? if you have a small loop or other directional antenna, can you isolate the noise to the direction of the neighbor?
Are you on good terms with the neighbor?? are they on good terms with the company that installed the panels and inverters etc?? what do you think about chances it could be fixed, realistically?
if you have a spectrum analyzer, what does it show when you look at say 3MHz to 30MHz?? I'm wondering if you can see bands of modulated noise, like a switching power supply, or ethernet, or if it really is just white or pink noise.
could also be LED lighting, some units are RF quiet, but many are nasty across the bands.? Isolating this might require the neighbor to also pop the house breaker!
my experiences:
- the ARRL ought to be able to help with this.? it's a FAQ and they should have a handy guide.? there's the RFI Book.? in the old days one might get some personal help from their EMC RFI lab, but those folks have retired.? So, no help there!
- it is unclear to me when to invoke FCC part 15.? depends on the neighbor, solar installer, etc., but overall it never hurts to document everything as you go.
- the company that installed the solar system on my roof did not stand behind the product.? I immediately noted many installation defects and broadband noise on HF, S9+40.? ? they disappeared after the installation, didn't answer calls, etc.? no help there!!
- in Richmond, I got broadband noise across HF and the loop antenna pointed in the direction of the grow house across the street.? I contacted the renters, Uncle Viet came over and shut off all the breakers...? the noise didn't change!? the loop was picking up insulator noise from the power lines overhead!? oops!!? PG&E ought to be glad when we tell them they have a leak and are losing money.? Nope, no help there!!
- that W6LPV looks like a nice unit and I think you should get one!? do you want to mount it on a TV rotator???
- I have a PixelLoop, 30kHz to 30MHz, which is a Mobius loop, a loop of ribbon cable connected to itself, offset by 1 wire, to get the multiple turns.? it is H plane, not E plane, so low noise.? its real secret is a high IP3 (35+dB) broadband preamp which is crucial as the antenna has very low raw output.? but the resulting S/N is excellent.? I think the W6LPV might be similar.
good luck.? to really fix the local noise is a long process.? and by then there will be something else in the neighborhood.
Cliff
On 2024-10-18 01:51, David via groups.io wrote:
The RF noise level at my QTH has me going berzerko... at times I am seeing S9+15 dB on 20 and 15M, though it sometimes settles down to S6-7 during the wee hours. Nearly S9 at the moment (these readings on my Kenwood TS590SG). The neighbor's new solar/battery setup cannot be helping.?
?
My addiction to magloops has me thinking about W6LVP's receive loop. Does anyone have experience with it? See W6LVP.com and
.
?
Thanks, and best, --David KM6RI
__._,_
--
Connie KN2EFI
|
hi David, ouch, that stinks!? that kind of broadband noise most
likely is the inverter(s) on the solar panel system.? but it could
also be power line / insulator noise.
or, it could be in your house.? have you tried, turn off the
house main breaker, and then sleuth around?? run an HF receiver on
battery.?? LED lights?? Wall wart gone bad?
is the noise recently worse?? you indicated the noise isn't much
reduced at night.? if you have a small loop or other directional
antenna, can you isolate the noise to the direction of the neighbor?
Are you on good terms with the neighbor?? are they on good terms
with the company that installed the panels and inverters etc??
what do you think about chances it could be fixed, realistically?
if you have a spectrum analyzer, what does it show when you look
at say 3MHz to 30MHz?? I'm wondering if you can see bands of
modulated noise, like a switching power supply, or ethernet, or if
it really is just white or pink noise.
could also be LED lighting, some units are RF quiet, but many are
nasty across the bands.? Isolating this might require the neighbor
to also pop the house breaker!
my experiences:
- the ARRL ought to be able to help with this.? it's a FAQ and
they should have a handy guide.? there's the RFI Book.? in the old
days one might get some personal help from their EMC RFI lab, but
those folks have retired.? So, no help there!
- it is unclear to me when to invoke FCC part 15.? depends on the
neighbor, solar installer, etc., but overall it never hurts to
document everything as you go.
- the company that installed the solar system on my roof did not
stand behind the product.? I immediately noted many installation
defects and broadband noise on HF, S9+40.? ? they disappeared
after the installation, didn't answer calls, etc.? no help there!!
- in Richmond, I got broadband noise across HF and the loop
antenna pointed in the direction of the grow house across the
street.? I contacted the renters, Uncle Viet came over and shut
off all the breakers...? the noise didn't change!? the loop was
picking up insulator noise from the power lines overhead!? oops!!?
PG&E ought to be glad when we tell them they have a leak and
are losing money.? Nope, no help there!!
- that W6LPV looks like a nice unit and I think you should get
one!? do you want to mount it on a TV rotator???
- I have a PixelLoop, 30kHz to 30MHz, which is a Mobius loop, a
loop of ribbon cable connected to itself, offset by 1 wire, to get
the multiple turns.? it is H plane, not E plane, so low noise.?
its real secret is a high IP3 (35+dB) broadband preamp which is
crucial as the antenna has very low raw output.? but the resulting
S/N is excellent.? I think the W6LPV might be similar.
good luck.? to really fix the local noise is a long process.? and
by then there will be something else in the neighborhood.
Cliff
On 2024-10-18 01:51, David via
groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
The RF noise level at my QTH has me going berzerko... at
times I am seeing S9+15 dB on 20 and 15M, though it sometimes
settles down to S6-7 during the wee hours. Nearly S9 at the
moment (these readings on my Kenwood TS590SG). The neighbor's
new solar/battery setup cannot be helping.?
?
My addiction to magloops has me thinking about W6LVP's
receive loop. Does anyone have experience with it? See W6LVP.com
and .
?
Thanks, and best, --David KM6RI
__._,_
|
The RF noise level at my QTH has me going berzerko... at times I am seeing S9+15 dB on 20 and 15M, though it sometimes settles down to S6-7 during the wee hours. Nearly S9 at the moment (these readings on my Kenwood TS590SG). The neighbor's new solar/battery setup cannot be helping.?
?
My addiction to magloops has me thinking about W6LVP's receive loop. Does anyone have experience with it? See W6LVP.com and https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=13215.
?
Thanks, and best, --David KM6RI
|
This brings back fond memories! 73, Eric NF6S
ex WD6DBM
?
On Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 9:08 PM, Connie W6EFI via groups.io <stillinger@...> wrote: Hotel room shenanigans. ?nobody in the pool area seems to notice the wire I hucked out the window.
On Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 20:20, Ron, N6YWU < ron.nicholson@...> wrote:
I'll be at Pacificon on Friday for the antenna seminar, but have to leave around 6 PM for another class I'm taking in Mt.View.
Ron N6YWU
--
Connie KN2EFI
|
|
|
What frequency are you on?
Ron, N6YUW
|
Hotel room shenanigans. ?nobody in the pool area seems to notice the wire I hucked out the window.
On Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 20:20, Ron, N6YWU < ron.nicholson@...> wrote:
I'll be at Pacificon on Friday for the antenna seminar, but have to leave around 6 PM for another class I'm taking in Mt.View.
Ron N6YWU
--
Connie KN2EFI
|
I'll be at Pacificon on Friday for the antenna seminar, but have to leave around 6 PM for another class I'm taking in Mt.View.
Ron N6YWU
|
We checked in about 4.? Saw Bob Mix and Oliver Barrett.? ?It's good to? be here
|
I arrived early this afternoon.
Oliver KB6BA
On Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 3:35?PM Connie W6EFI via <stillinger= [email protected]> wrote: I am at Pacificon and very happy. I came a little early. It is going to be a madhouse getting into the hotel later and tomorrow.
Connie?
On Wed, Oct 16, 2024 at 22:47, Oliver Barrett < oliverorb@...> wrote:
I decided to arrive there tomorrow afternoon.? Hope to see Doug and perhaps others then.
73,
Oliver KB6BA
On Wed, Oct 16, 2024 at 5:21?PM Doug Hendricks via
<ki6ds1=
[email protected]> wrote:
[Edited Message Follows]
I will be there Thursday evening hopefully about 5.? Staying until Sunday.? ?A group of qrpers are meeting in the lobby at 4 Friday and waiting for the Antenna Seminar to get out before we leave for Panera Bread for dinner,? Dutch treat.? We would love to have you join us.? Friday and Saturday nights lots of fun activities in the Danville room starting at 7.? You are welcome to join us.
Doug
--
Connie KN2EFI
|
I am at Pacificon and very happy. I came a little early. It is going to be a madhouse getting into the hotel later and tomorrow.
Connie?
On Wed, Oct 16, 2024 at 22:47, Oliver Barrett < oliverorb@...> wrote:
I decided to arrive there tomorrow afternoon.? Hope to see Doug and perhaps others then.
73,
Oliver KB6BA
On Wed, Oct 16, 2024 at 5:21?PM Doug Hendricks via
<ki6ds1=
[email protected]> wrote:
[Edited Message Follows]
I will be there Thursday evening hopefully about 5.? Staying until Sunday.? ?A group of qrpers are meeting in the lobby at 4 Friday and waiting for the Antenna Seminar to get out before we leave for Panera Bread for dinner,? Dutch treat.? We would love to have you join us.? Friday and Saturday nights lots of fun activities in the Danville room starting at 7.? You are welcome to join us.
Doug
--
Connie KN2EFI
|
Re: Hiroki's article in QRP ARCI magazine
Even though my husband says he has no interest in becoming a ham, he always takes my QRP and QST magazines from the mail before I have a chance to even find out they have arrived.?
?
He said "Hey look Hiroki has a new article!".
I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Maybe I should get him his own subscription....his birthday is coming up.
?
Congrats Hiroki,
?
?
Joy
N6GO
|
I decided to arrive there tomorrow afternoon.? Hope to see Doug and perhaps others then.
73, Oliver KB6BA
[Edited Message Follows]
I will be there Thursday evening hopefully about 5.? Staying until Sunday.? ?A group of qrpers are meeting in the lobby at 4 Friday and waiting for the Antenna Seminar to get out before we leave for Panera Bread for dinner,? Dutch treat.? We would love to have you join us.? Friday and Saturday nights lots of fun activities in the Danville room starting at 7.? You are welcome to join us.
Doug
|
I will be there Thursday evening hopefully about 5.? Staying until Sunday.? ?A group of qrpers are meeting in the lobby at 4 Friday and waiting for the Antenna Seminar to get out before we leave for Panera Bread for dinner,? Dutch treat.? We would love to have you join us.? Friday and Saturday nights lots of fun activities in the Danville room starting at 7.? You are welcome to join us.
Doug
|
Pacificon schedule lists no host QRP dinner on Friday from 4 to 6.?? Going to Panera.
On Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 01:57:25 PM PDT, Bob Doerr <doerr.bob@...> wrote:
I'll be there for the Antenna Workshop.
Bob KA6REL
Robert Doerr
Diversified Financial Solutions
CA Lic. 0I67615
m: +1 650-307-3781
b:? +1 650-777-7612
"Life's too short for bad days." bd
Sent from Moto G
On Wed, Oct 16, 2024, 1:51 PM Oliver Barrett via <oliverorb= [email protected]> wrote: I'll be there Friday for the antenna seminar, Saturday and Sun AM for the flea market.
Oliver KB6BA
Who's going??
I will be there Friday for the antenna seminar, spend one night, and go home Saturday evening after diner (not the big banquet).
|
I'll be there for the Antenna Workshop.
Bob KA6REL
Robert Doerr
Diversified Financial Solutions
CA Lic. 0I67615
m: +1 650-307-3781
b:? +1 650-777-7612
"Life's too short for bad days." bd
Sent from Moto G
On Wed, Oct 16, 2024, 1:51 PM Oliver Barrett via <oliverorb= [email protected]> wrote: I'll be there Friday for the antenna seminar, Saturday and Sun AM for the flea market.
Oliver KB6BA
Who's going??
I will be there Friday for the antenna seminar, spend one night, and go home Saturday evening after diner (not the big banquet).
|
I'll be there Friday for the antenna seminar, Saturday and Sun AM for the flea market.
Oliver KB6BA
Who's going??
I will be there Friday for the antenna seminar, spend one night, and go home Saturday evening after diner (not the big banquet).
|
Who's going??
I will be there Friday for the antenna seminar, spend one night, and go home Saturday evening after diner (not the big banquet).
|
Hiroki's article in QRP ARCI magazine
Just arrived today, and looks great!? Congratulations! 73, Eric NF6S
ex WD6DBM
?
|
Something is in the air...
Hey folks, I think propagation is likely pretty good right now.
On the ship today, 10MHz and 15MHz were booming.? In the car, lots of FM BC DX, from Sac and north valley, KCHO.? Car on 680 S in San Remote.
Right now I don't have a chance to operate, I hope someone does.
Cliff K6CLS CM97 right now
|
Cliff Sojourner K6CLS
David
Bob Doerr