Quoting "Tommyknocker" :

Speaking of the tropical bands, I haven't been able to get much on them
lately. I'm hearing a loud buzz all across the lower freqs, but I can't
seem to narrow down where it's coming from.

I hear that @#$% noise up here in Washington state too, and don't know what
it is. I'd love to know what it is - anybody know definitively what it is ?

Maximus wrote:

Quoting "Tommyknocker" :

Speaking of the tropical bands, I haven't been able to get much on them
lately. I'm hearing a loud buzz all across the lower freqs, but I can't
seem to narrow down where it's coming from.

I hear that @#$% noise up here in Washington state too, and don't know what
it is. I'd love to know what it is - anybody know definitively what it is ?

Perhaps a powerline problem?

FWIW, they did recently boost the voltage on some high tension lines from
250 k to 500 k - would that make that much noise ?

"N8KDV" wrote in message
...


Maximus wrote:

Quoting "Tommyknocker" :

Speaking of the tropical bands, I haven't been able to get much on them
lately. I'm hearing a loud buzz all across the lower freqs, but I can't
seem to narrow down where it's coming from.

I hear that @#$% noise up here in Washington state too, and don't know
what
it is. I'd love to know what it is - anybody know definitively what it
is ?

Perhaps a powerline problem?

Maximus wrote:

FWIW, they did recently boost the voltage on some high tension lines from
250 k to 500 k - would that make that much noise ?

Yes, if the associated equipment is not up to snuff to handle the increased
voltage, insulators and the like.

How close are these lines? I shudder to think of living anywhere near that type
of line while pursuing the radio hobby.



"N8KDV" wrote in message
...


Maximus wrote:

Quoting "Tommyknocker" :

Speaking of the tropical bands, I haven't been able to get much on them
lately. I'm hearing a loud buzz all across the lower freqs, but I can't
seem to narrow down where it's coming from.

I hear that @#$% noise up here in Washington state too, and don't know
what
it is. I'd love to know what it is - anybody know definitively what it
is ?

Perhaps a powerline problem?

I honestly don't remember where they are. However, I have power lines on 3
sides of me, and they are high tension stuff. I don't think they carry the
BIG load however. Don't matter, what's there produces enough noise as it is
LOL.

"N8KDV" wrote in message
...


Maximus wrote:

FWIW, they did recently boost the voltage on some high tension lines
from
250 k to 500 k - would that make that much noise ?

Yes, if the associated equipment is not up to snuff to handle the
increased
voltage, insulators and the like.

How close are these lines? I shudder to think of living anywhere near that
type
of line while pursuing the radio hobby.



"N8KDV" wrote in message
...


Maximus wrote:

Quoting "Tommyknocker" :

Speaking of the tropical bands, I haven't been able to get much on
them
lately. I'm hearing a loud buzz all across the lower freqs, but I
can't
seem to narrow down where it's coming from.

I hear that @#$% noise up here in Washington state too, and don't
know
what
it is. I'd love to know what it is - anybody know definitively what
it
is ?

Perhaps a powerline problem?

"Maximus" wrote in message
link.net...
Quoting "Tommyknocker" :

Speaking of the tropical bands, I haven't been able to get much on them
lately. I'm hearing a loud buzz all across the lower freqs, but I can't
seem to narrow down where it's coming from.

I hear that @#$% noise up here in Washington state too, and don't know
what
it is. I'd love to know what it is - anybody know definitively what it is
?

Sounds like a classic case of power line insulator leakage.

Power line insulators sometimes develop micro-cracks in which
dust and dirt settle. In cold dry weather, these cracks
provide a dry leakage path for an arc, usually to the metal
frame or supports for/within the insulator. (we are talking about
a tiny near-continous arc here, not a flashover) The result
is a pesky noise that may be on an insulator located as much
as 1/4 mile away, but will still give you an S5 to S7 white-noise
which will ruin all your SWL and Ham'ing.

The way to know for sure is to wait for a good rainy day.
If the noise goes away when the poles, lines and insulators
are wet with rain, then it's a good bet you have a leaking
insulator someplace in the vicinity. The noise will come back
when the insulator dries out and the carbonized dirt in the same
goes bacl to path-arcing again. This can lead to a very dangerous
condition know in the industry as a "Hot Pole"

(see: http://www.utilityinnovations.com/lingo.htm )

A good way to find an leaking insulator
in the area is to find the noise with your AM car radio (tune
to a vacant spot on the dial in the daytime when U can hear
the noise/hash) and drive around. Noise will be greatest when
your near the pole. Use a pocket/portable radio as the "noise
sniffer" to find the pole. (Note: Never touch a pole that
you suspect may be "leaking" or has a suspect bad insulator)

Take down the pole number, call the power company and
tell them you *suspect* that they have a possible Hot Pole
Situation / Incident. Be clear and do not enhance the situation.
Be sure to tell them who/how/why and this will usually get them
out to check/fix the same.

Again, the key words here a "I suspect a possible Hot Pole".

This is a hazard that, if confirmed, all power companies take seriously
and usually the SWL or Ham is the first person to be aware of such
as his radio will pickup the noise of the electric arcing.
Most power companies will be
happy to find/fix such a condition early as it may preclude a possible
catastrophic insulator/line failure in their distribution system later on.



For more info see also these URL's:

http://www.maintenanceworld.com/Arti...y_boldstar.pdf

http://www.electricity-today.com/et/...7_infrared.htm

http://www.daycor.com/applic_tech.pdf

http://www.usace.army.mil/publicatio...684/chap16.pdf

http://www.cps.gov.on.ca/english/pla...11/M-9611L.pdf

google washer wrote:


"Maximus" wrote in message
link.net...
Quoting "Tommyknocker" :

Speaking of the tropical bands, I haven't been able to get much on them
lately. I'm hearing a loud buzz all across the lower freqs, but I can't
seem to narrow down where it's coming from.

I hear that @#$% noise up here in Washington state too, and don't know
what
it is. I'd love to know what it is - anybody know definitively what it is
?

Sounds like a classic case of power line insulator leakage.

Power line insulators sometimes develop micro-cracks in which
dust and dirt settle. In cold dry weather, these cracks
provide a dry leakage path for an arc, usually to the metal
frame or supports for/within the insulator. (we are talking about
a tiny near-continous arc here, not a flashover) The result
is a pesky noise that may be on an insulator located as much
as 1/4 mile away, but will still give you an S5 to S7 white-noise
which will ruin all your SWL and Ham'ing.

I've noted this on the tropical bands up to about 6 Mhz as well as above
11 Mhz. It never used to be there. The power lines and related equipment
in my area are OLD-dating back to the early 1950s when the old
Krushmacher Ranch was subdivided and sold. According to old timers, the
power lines weren't grounded originally, and when lightning hit the pole
connected to your house you'd get 6 inch long flames coming out of your
electrical sockets.

The way to know for sure is to wait for a good rainy day.
If the noise goes away when the poles, lines and insulators
are wet with rain, then it's a good bet you have a leaking
insulator someplace in the vicinity. The noise will come back
when the insulator dries out and the carbonized dirt in the same
goes bacl to path-arcing again. This can lead to a very dangerous
condition know in the industry as a "Hot Pole"

There's a big storm coming in Tuesday. I'll try it then.

(see: http://www.utilityinnovations.com/lingo.htm )

A good way to find an leaking insulator
in the area is to find the noise with your AM car radio (tune
to a vacant spot on the dial in the daytime when U can hear
the noise/hash) and drive around. Noise will be greatest when
your near the pole. Use a pocket/portable radio as the "noise
sniffer" to find the pole. (Note: Never touch a pole that
you suspect may be "leaking" or has a suspect bad insulator)

All the poles here are BETWEEN the houses (running through the back
yards) so I doubt I'll be able to narrow it down to one pole.

Take down the pole number, call the power company and
tell them you *suspect* that they have a possible Hot Pole
Situation / Incident. Be clear and do not enhance the situation.
Be sure to tell them who/how/why and this will usually get them
out to check/fix the same.

Again, the key words here a "I suspect a possible Hot Pole".

This is a hazard that, if confirmed, all power companies take seriously
and usually the SWL or Ham is the first person to be aware of such
as his radio will pickup the noise of the electric arcing.
Most power companies will be
happy to find/fix such a condition early as it may preclude a possible
catastrophic insulator/line failure in their distribution system later on.



For more info see also these URL's:

http://www.maintenanceworld.com/Arti...y_boldstar.pdf

http://www.electricity-today.com/et/...7_infrared.htm

http://www.daycor.com/applic_tech.pdf

http://www.usace.army.mil/publicatio...684/chap16.pdf

http://www.cps.gov.on.ca/english/pla...11/M-9611L.pdf

N8KDV wrote:



Maximus wrote:

FWIW, they did recently boost the voltage on some high tension lines from
250 k to 500 k - would that make that much noise ?

Yes, if the associated equipment is not up to snuff to handle the increased
voltage, insulators and the like.

How close are these lines? I shudder to think of living anywhere near that type
of line while pursuing the radio hobby.

I live about a half mile from some high tension lines-I suspect, but
have never confirmed, that they're part of the massive Pacific Intertie
which shuttles electricity between Vancouver (British Columbia) and
Tijuana. I also live near a FM transmitting tower. It wipes out half of
the FM band unless you're using a good reciever.




"N8KDV" wrote in message
...


Maximus wrote:

Quoting "Tommyknocker" :

Speaking of the tropical bands, I haven't been able to get much on them
lately. I'm hearing a loud buzz all across the lower freqs, but I can't
seem to narrow down where it's coming from.

I hear that @#$% noise up here in Washington state too, and don't know
what
it is. I'd love to know what it is - anybody know definitively what it
is ?

Perhaps a powerline problem?

i lived about 100 feet from a 250,000 volt power line tower and reception
was not that bad. i just had to play around with antenna location and my
ground rod had to be driven in the front yard as far way from the tower as
posible.
it was not the best but it was not to bad.

chuck

"tommyknocker" wrote in message
...
N8KDV wrote:



Maximus wrote:

FWIW, they did recently boost the voltage on some high tension lines
from
250 k to 500 k - would that make that much noise ?

Yes, if the associated equipment is not up to snuff to handle the
increased
voltage, insulators and the like.

How close are these lines? I shudder to think of living anywhere near
that type
of line while pursuing the radio hobby.

I live about a half mile from some high tension lines-I suspect, but
have never confirmed, that they're part of the massive Pacific Intertie
which shuttles electricity between Vancouver (British Columbia) and
Tijuana. I also live near a FM transmitting tower. It wipes out half of
the FM band unless you're using a good reciever.




"N8KDV" wrote in message
...


Maximus wrote:

Quoting "Tommyknocker" :

Speaking of the tropical bands, I haven't been able to get much on
them
lately. I'm hearing a loud buzz all across the lower freqs, but I
can't
seem to narrow down where it's coming from.

I hear that @#$% noise up here in Washington state too, and don't
know
what
it is. I'd love to know what it is - anybody know definitively
what it
is ?

Perhaps a powerline problem?