[Elecraft] (Very OT)Plasma TV noise

[Jim Wiley]

KL7DTH, Lee, and I share a QTH and rigs.  One of our neighbors has a 
plasma TV, and it produces very strong signals every few kHz across the 
160 and 75 meter bands.   We purchased a DX Engineering NCC-1 noise 
canceler, and it completely removes the TV set noise.  Part of the 
secret is getting a noise-pickup antenna as close as possible to the 
interference.  We use a 40-foot (non-resonant) dipole about 10 feet 
high, erected right on the property line closest to the neighbor's 
house, and thus about 60 feet from the TV set in question. . 


Without the noise canceler, TV set hash runs to over S9 on both 75 and 
160.  When the NCC-1 is on and adjusted  properly, the plasma TV set 
hash reduces to S1 or less on 160 meters.  On 75 meters, our noise level 
is S-zero.  This is when using our NIVS antennas, a full-size 75 meter  
vertical-firing cubical quad, or a full-wave loop on 160.  .  The noise 
is worse on the 75 or 160 meter verticals, but we still see a several 
S-unit reduction in TV set hash. 


Keep in mind that such a technique works on only one noise source at a 
time.  If you have multiple noise sources., you could use more than one 
noise reductions unit, or perhaps other methods will work for you.


I think other manufacturers offer a similar unit. I have not tried the 
others, and cannot offer an opinion on how effective they are, or are not.



- Jim, KL7CC


. 
Brian Moran wrote:
> I have a neighbor a couple of hundred yards (yes, that far) that away that 
> purchased a plasma approximately 15 months ago; since then, when it's on,  I 
> have s7-s9 noise from the AM band through 80m (at various points). I offered to 
> purchase a new LCD display for him to replace it, but he "likes the way it looks 
> better than any other". I don't expect to be able to obtain relief short of FCC 
> intervention.  It even interferes with vehicle AM radio while driving near his 
> house. While the ARRL recommends to work with your neighbor to try to solve the 
> issue (with ferrites and the like), I don't believe this advice is in tune with 
> today's social conventions, liability laws, "last mechanic syndrome", and the 
> like. I would be reluctant to touch anything on anyone else's equipment lest I 
> be responsible for any future real or perceived issues with proper operation.  I 
> think the only effective solution would be to 'go nuclear' and get the FCC 
> involved; what I find is that I just operate less.
>
> Quite the bummer, because my favorite band over the last few years has been 
> 160m. 
>
>   
>