[Elecraft] Tracking Local QRN

[Fred Jensen]

Dale Kretzer wrote:
> I'd never thought of the KX1, or any of the little Elecraft
 > rigs, as an rf interference "sniffer," but they work ideally
 > for that purpose. A properly designed, handheld loop antenna
 > might be required in tougher cases, but give anything handy
 > a try and see what surprises you uncover.

I've often used my KX1 to locate noisy electric fences in the area. 
I've never bothered with a loop ... just a piece of wire in the antenna 
jack.  When I get close, I use a part of a paper clip in the connector, 
and if I'm within about 50-60m of the arc, it almost doesn't even take 
that.  So far, it's worked every time.

I also inadvertently found some gizmo on a power pole that was radiating 
narrow band noise at about 7055 while I was looking for a fence problem. 
   I just happened to be listening to the fence on that freq.  I don't 
know what it is, but I called the power company, and they must have 
replaced the box because it is still there but the noise disappeared a 
couple of days later.

KX1's have many uses :-)

Fred K6DGW
Auburn CA CM98lw

PS:  The ARRL 10m contest is on.  SFI=96, Kp=2, and X-ray flux is fairly 
low and declining.  Lots of LU's, PY's, HP's, a couple of YV's, PJ2T, 
and at least one HC on CW.  Sigs are pretty strong into N. Cal.  Also 
worked a ZL on CW.  Not too shabby for the bottom of the cycle.