HI Sean,

On Sat 2039-Apr-02 10:49, Sean Dennis (1:18/200) wrote to Richard Webb:



 RW> knowledgeable too.  I'm betting you're TVA over that way, so they've
 RW> got expertise on staff. I'm expecting to see this guy within next
 RW> couple weeks.

SD> Thankfully, the power board here is very responsive to complaints
SD> from hams around here.  They really do try to keep us happy.  I'll
SD> call on Monday, speak to dispatch, give them the pole numbers and
SD> will hopefully get a call from the linemen that respond.  It's the
SD> lightning arresters on top of the poles that might be causing the
SD> grounds to be radiating.

YEp, I find that happens a lot, either that or loose
grounds.  I use an interesting technique to rdf those things with a vhf
receiver tuned to the vhf air band, in am mode of course, and one of my
transmitter hunting antenna rigs.

SD> I'm the one that's been lazy and not made the call.  Thankfully, I
SD> do have fellow hams that are well-known at the power board and they
SD> will help if need be.  But I need to initate the contact.

SOunds like you should have good luck.  These guys are one
of those rural electric cooperative things, and not quite as sharp about such
things.  wHen ARRL and the FCC told them
they weren't buying in they brought in the consultant from
TVA.  I told him, and he already understood that I wasn't
trying to be adversarial just for grins, I just wanted to
get the problem solved, for their benefit and mine.

SD> Right now, though, I am studying my dad's copy of the 2009 Handbook
SD> to try to find a good way to eliminate AC noise coming through my
SD> power supply.  I have a very nice Radio Shack 25A switching power
SD> supply but unfortunately the ancient wiring in this house
SD> (ungrounded 2-wire aluminum) just picks up noise like you wouldn't
SD> believe.  I hear a "rushing" sound all over every band when I use
SD> it, but since my battery can't supply enough amps to keep my radio
SD> at "full" power, I generally only get out at around 50-70 watts
SD> depending on the battery's charge.

  I hate switching power supplies.  I know, they're
cleaner than they used to be, but that noise you describe is consistent with
their behavior.

Get you a bigger gel cell and float charge it with a trickle charger, I bet
that'll clean up a lot.

OH btw, if you've got aluminum wiring, inspect all your
fixtures, make sure that they used those little pigtail
splices to that aluminum wire that are made for the purpose. electrolytic
action or intaction between the copper and the
aluminum can be a dangerous thing, and you might find your
home sweet home becomes an inferno.  IF fixtures aren't
connected with those little pigtails made for the purpose
get 'em.

Regards,
           Richard
--- timEd 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin:  (1:116/901)