[Elecraft] More antenna problems

[Phil, WB6TQG]

Hi Terry,

> My antenna is a 100' length of wire fed by 50' of RG8X Mini.
> The feed point is at 10' off the ground through a balun.
> The wire arches up to about 25' in the tallest tree on our
> lot and the wire points roughly south. The backside is a
> 60' length of 12 GA insulated wire thrown over the roof, (my
> property line is less than 10' behind the feed point).
> There is a power line at the same height as the balun just
> over the property line, (about 12' away).

My background noise was terrible when my antenna was a few feet above the
roof of the house. Every TV and computer monitor came blasting through on 20
meters. Moving it away from the house greatly reduced the RFI. I would also
expect the power line to radiate RFI from all of the noisy loads that it
feeds.

Depending on the layout of your property, is it possible to put up a dipole
(best) or inverted-vee? Keep it as far as possible from the power line and
house, and if possible aim the ends towards the powerline to reduce pickup
from it.

> My power supply is an Anstron SS30 which is about 4' away from
> the radio.  The power supply has no effect on a computer about the
> same distance away.

The K2 is MUCH more sensitive than a computer. I also use an SS30, and can
hear RFI from it on AM broadcast radios in other rooms of the house. I am
not knocking the SS30, you just have to expect switching supplies to
radiate. If the RFI is from the SS30, you will hear the frequency change
when you vary the load current.

It was mentioned in another email that you could use a handheld that covers
the HF bands to look for noise. If you don't have one, an AM broadcast radio
might help.

> I'm seriously thinking about buying as 5-band Hustler to ground
> mount behind my shack.  I've been told that my signal to noise
> ratio would improve considerably by a salesman at a local store.

I wouldn't count on it. Before spending money on it, try a wire vertical
(this was suggested in another email). Also keep in mind that verticals
usually need radials.

Keep us posted on this.

73,
Phil, WB6TQG