[Elecraft] OT: Electric fences

[Ken Kopp]

Electric fence chargers don't (normally) cause noise.
Its the installation of the wires they feed that causes
noise.

There are two kinds of chargers ... one generates a
quick pulse ... a "pop" ... and the other generates a
longer burst of energy and makes a "bzzzt" sound.
The later is often called a "weed burner".  It's intent
is to burn away any weed that grows into contact with 
the fence.  

I have had good luck with asking / offering the owner 
if I can fix the fence, with an emphasis on "it will work
better when I'm through". 

They're almost always put up poorly, with no knowledge 
of how to do the job correctly.  Joints are made by simply
making two loops together like one would link two index
fingers together.  These need to be twisted ... tightly.
Ditto for the tie-wires used to fasten wire to insulators.

Sometimes there are -NO- insulators used on wood fence
posts, and I have found the charged wire stapled to the 
post.  If the staple isn't tight, a tiny arc will result.  This is
one common source of "power line noise" on power line
distribution system pole ground wires, BTW.  It's been known 
to set poles ablaze. There are insulated gate hooks that are 
fine sources of noise.  

Look at an electric fence as an antenna and construct it
in the same way.  It will be much more likely to be "quiet".

Again, the noise isn't from the charger ... it's generated
along the wire.  Carrying an AM radio along the fence may
be helpful  and is useful in illustrating to the fence owner what
you're talking about.  He/she may already be aware of the
noise and not know the source. (:-))

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
      ElecraftCovers at rfwave.net