[Elecraft] RFI tracking

[Kenneth E. Harker]

On Fri, Feb 14, 2003 at 07:27:42PM -0500, Jeff Burns wrote:
> I have an annoying power line noise on the low end of the 80m band. In an
> effort to find it I have been walking around the neighborhood with my K2 in
> a bag around my neck and a small loop antenna. I can hear that noise under
> just about all the power lines. I need a VHF AM receiver to narrow the
> search area. Any suggestions for a low cost receiver would be appreciated.
> 
> I am considering building the "Simple TRF Receiver for Tracking RFI"
> described by K1BQT in the March 2001 QST. Another options is the Radio Shack
> "AM/FM/VHF-air and TV sound" receiver. It cost $32. I figure it will need
> shielding and a directional antenna. Does anyone have any experience with
> ether of these?

You can get some ideas for euqipment at eham.net:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/50

The VK3YNG receiver is the Cadillac of VHF foxhunting gear, with autoranging
attenuation built in, but it may be out of your price range.

Building a WB2HOL tape measure yagi would be a fun way to get a hand-held
directional antenna for VHF.

Arrow Antennas (http://www.arrowantennas.com/) also has some gear for 
direction finding, including a magnetic loop antenna, handheld VHF 
yagis, and step attenuators.

Another excellent source for foxhunting ideas is:
http://www.homingin.com/

-- 
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Kenneth E. Harker      "Vox Clamantis in Deserto"      kharker@cs.utexas.edu
University of Texas at Austin                   Amateur Radio Callsign: WM5R
Department of the Computer Sciences          Central Texas DX & Contest Club
Taylor Hall TAY 2.124                         Maintainer of Linux on Laptops
Austin, TX 78712-1188 USA            http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/kharker/
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