Cecil:

Yep. EXACTLY, the same problem here.

I constructed a wideband fsm with a fet front end amping up the rf, then
through a full wave rect and feeding two opamps in a lm324 acting as a VERY
high gain dc amp, plug for ferite/"rubber duck"/telescope antennas. This
finds the groundwire on a pole adjacent to my yard is a culprit, when
brought close it pegs the meter and turns on the led (powered by extra
opamps on board the lm324 acting as a comparator and voltage follower) in
the output circuit.

There is also a large, square, distribution xfmr where there are underground
lines, although it appears perfectly shielded, it is yet another culprit on
the opposite side of my property and gives a substantial reading on the same
meter.

Numerous complaints from me has had the power company send out individuals
with an am radio, as you describe, they are quite taken with my "noise
meter" when I show it to them, and the audio on their am radio confirms my
meters reading--however, the noise is still there ...

I am happy they like my meter! straight face

Warmest regards,
JS

"Cecil Moore" wrote in message
. ..
John Smith wrote:
Undoubtably, in a power failure, "most all" of the noise, both horiz and
vert, goes away. How to you differentiate between what is the horiz
component and that of the vert component?

I continue to operate on backup power during an AC
power failure. The change in noise level on my
horizontal dipole is not very noticeable. The change
in noise level on my vertical is 2+ S-units. It is
obvious that the 60 Hz power lines furnish the source
of the vertical noise with power. I am still not sure
of the source of the vertical noise but I strongly
suspect the ground wire on the pole in my front yard
that contains a power factor capacitor. If I bring
my portable AM radio close to that ground wire, I
cannot even hear the local AM radio station.
--
73, Cecil http://www.w5dxp.com