[Boatanchors] Wierd Line Noise Observation on 40 Last Night

[k0dan at comcast.net]

Another possibility which might or might not fit your QTH...I use a number of X10 remote control modules to control lights, etc. Some of these are "appliance" modules which use a relay to turn on/off the load, while others are "light modules" which use an SCR to control (and possibly dim) the loads. In the past I have not had trouble with QRN from these devices but recently I replaced some of the X10 products with "switchlinc" products as they handle a bigger load than the X10. When activated, these modules produce a TERRIBLE buzz at freqs below about 7 Mhz, even when full-on (not dimmed). Turn the devices off, and the noise goes away. For what it's worth...
73
Dan
K0DAN


> I went down to the shack early last evening and turned on the Johnson Ranger 1, 
> Viking Courier, 75A-4.  It was already tuned up to 40 cw from the weekend so I 
> didn't re-tune.  The setup runs about 350 to 400 watts output.  I listened 
> around the band, found someone calling CQ, then for the first time, briefly 
> keyed the rig to make sure the SWR was OK (as I use a Viking KW Matchbox), and 
> was then greeted by 20/S9 line noise.  I turned on the KWM-2A and could hear it 
> on there as well.  I then shut off the Ranger/Courier/75-A-4 to see if the noise 
> might be coming from them, but the noise was still there.  This same thing 
> happened last weekend too.  40 was nice and quiet, I tune up, bam, line noise. 
> 
> I seem to recall observing this last fall when I got on 75 AM during the day.  
> Band is quiet enough, I get in on an AM QSO , running some mildly serious power, 
> about 200 watts out with the Desk KW backdown all the way, and bam, line noise.  
> 
> The only correlation to anything is that it was day light out.  I don't seem to 
> recall observing this late in the evening.  I'm not sure because I don't have 
> that many data points.  It was still lite out last night, ditto on the weekend.  
> 
> I'm wondering if my signal is triggering the street light to try and start up 
> while its still light out.  Its just a hunch because I don't have any other 
> explaination.  Tonight I was thinking of testing with just the Ranger and its 
> low power.  Then  switch in the Viking Courier at 400 watts out and see if the 
> line noise starts up.
> 
> Does anyone have any insight into this?  Strange huh?
> 
> 73, Scott WA9WFA
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