[DX] Good rigs for power line noise

[W2CE@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/23/2003 11:17:20 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
johngeig@yahoo.com writes:

> I also have this noise on the higher bands, but bought
> a Yaesu FT100D based on the reputation of its NB.  It
> does take out the noise on 20-6 meters, lowering it
> from S5 to nothing most of the time.  However, it
> doesn't seem to touch the noise much on the lower
> bands.  I used to have an Icom 746 (original model)
> and it didn't do anything against the noise.  I also
> used to have a Kenwood TS2000, and I seem to remember
> that it handled it pretty well on all bands.  

I'm surprised to hear that the FT-1000D doesn't meet your expectations in the 
noise blanker area.  Your are talking about a real high class radio that 
performs very well.  I've only used it at a friends shack but he is a low 
band operator and I'm sure would not put up with noise.

The best noise blakers I have ever used were in my Kenwood TS-930S.  Both 
blankers performed very well and the adjustable depth handy so as not to have 
the big signals totally wreck the band.  AC power line noise always went to 
zero on any band with the 930

There are outboard noise blankers that sense noise and gate the antenna input 
accordingly.  I believe one model was an NIR-1

Of course elminiating the source of the power line noise is the best 
solution.  Finding the location of the offending equipment can be a problem 
even for experienced people. Remember the 60hz frequency and the length of a 
wavelength there.  Noise loud several wavelengths away can place noise quite 
a distance away.  Try to get past your power company customer service people 
and to their engineering department.  The person they sent me came and 
listened to my receiver, got an idea of what sound to listen for, and about 
30 minutes later came back for me to take a ride with him.  Yes, he found the 
offending pole, verified by sledge hammer, and wrote up the work order.  
About 6 months later he became N2RAS.

He used one of the old Heathkit marine band and shortwave receivers with the 
directional loop to locate the noise.  Just as good is a small AM broadcast 
band radio tuned to a clear frequency.  I also have a small Sony SW receiver 
that can tune the HF band I want.  You can be pretty sure when the noise pegs 
the meter that you are there.


============================================================
     Bob Reed, W2CE       
============================================================
 W2CE@aol.com       W2CE@arrl.net     W2CE@comcast.net
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