[Boatanchors] Off Topic -- Horses Fence RFI

[Glen Zook]

I believe that the problems come from the same sources
as those from the electric lines:  Primarily splices
in the fence wire, the tie wires that hold the fence
wire to the insulators, and loose hardware.

If you work with the farmer(s) you can probably either
solder the splices (use a propane torch) or at least
tighten them up with a couple of pliers.  However,
tightening them up will only help for a little while,
the "fix" is to solder the connection.

As for the "tie wires", you need to again solder them
in place or tighten them up.  If there is a need to
make changes in the fence, then you probably only
should tighten them up.  However, every few months you
will have to retighten them.

Make sure that the hardware is securely fastened to
the fence posts, etc.  Loose hardware can be a source
of severe interference.

Also, check the ground wire from the transformer to
the ground rod and the connections to the transformer
from the AC line.  In addition, make sure that there
is nothing that is touching the electrified portion of
the fence like branches, another fence wire, etc. 
Those can cause arcs which are the primary source of
your problem.

You can often locate the source(s) of the problems by
walking the fence(s) with a portable AM radio.  FM
radios usually will not work well since the vast
majority of noise is amplitude modulated and the
limiters in an FM receiver are designed to eliminate
the AM component of received signals.

There isn't that much you can do at the receiver end
in terms of eliminating this type of interference. 
Most noise limiters work OK on pulse type of
interference (i.e. automobile ignition noise) but
don't work well on the longer period noise from AC
lines.

Glen, K9STH


--- Mark Bell <bell@blazenet.net> wrote:

What I'd like to know is what solutions on the BA
receiver end have you guys found beneficial for this
type of RFI?

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