[GCARC] HF RFI - 17m Nasties and Portable Radio Recs

[Tony Starr]

Chris,

I have an Eton Elite Mini pocket radio that I use exclusively for tracking
noise sources. It is by no means a good receiver, but it has a headphone
jack, a telescopic whip antenna, and covers a wide range of frequencies, so
it is perfect for noise tracking.  Also, it fits in a shirt pocket.  About
$35 from Amazon.  73.

Tony K3TS

On Sat, Dec 5, 2020 at 4:27 PM Christopher Wawak <chris at wawak.org> wrote:

> Just wanted to reply with a little closure:
>
> Thanks for all your suggestions! I dodged a bullet this time, as even
> though I am fairly certain I got somewhat close to the noise source (using
> the awful AM receiver on my FT3D), the noise disappeared and I haven't seen
> it since. My hunch is it was one of those "laser" led projector lights that
> shoot snowflake shapes on your house.
>
> I got great suggestions that I'm keeping for next time, and now I can
> search for the perfect cheap portable shortwave receiver should the need
> arise again.
>
> 73,
>  Chris
>
> On Sun, Nov 29, 2020 at 6:14 PM Christopher Wawak <chris at wawak.org> wrote:
>
> > TLDR - need a gadget to track down some gnarly noise on 17m. Can you
> > recommend a gadget that will help?
> >
> > The problem:
> > Today at my home around 3PM I noticed crazy S9 broadband noise starting
> > around 17m all the way up past 15 and on. ( https://imgur.com/a/6VcmFPB
> )
> >
> > Not a lot of noise of this type noticeable lower than 17m, with no noise
> > at all below 20m. It repeated every 100khz, with S9 at each 100khz peak.
> > Anyone else notice a similar mess today?
> >
> > The facts:
> > 1. I picked up the noise on both an IC-7300 and a yaesu FT-857d. The
> noise
> > only shows up when plugged into the only antenna I have up right now. No
> > noise when either radio is unplugged.
> > 2, I have a ~90 foot unshielded 4 conductor control cable going from my
> > shack to the AH-4 remote antenna tuner, which is connected to a "30m
> > dipole". I wonder if this is the culprit. I do have shielded 4 conductor
> > cable ready to go if necessary.
> > 3. A LOT of neighbors put up xmas lights today. I, a slacker, have not.
> > 4. I did a full survey of the house, and absolutely no new electronic
> > devices were turned on, brought into the house, or otherwise
> > 5. I tried walking around inside and outside with my FT-3D HT tuned (on
> > AM) to the frequency, and it just picked up static but nothing like the
> > noise I was getting. I noticed no difference in the noise no matter where
> > it was tuned, which makes me thing it wasn't picking up the noise.
> >
> > Next steps:
> > 1. I plan to do the "turn everything off and see if the noise is still
> > there", but that will have to wait until tomorrow. My kids are afraid of
> > the dark.
> > 2. Once the rain stops tomorrow, I'm going to try replacing the ATU wtih
> a
> > balun, and see if the noise is still there.
> > 3. If the noise is still there, I guess it's time to go hunting. If the
> > noise goes away, I'll try the shielded cable.
> >
> > Questions:
> > 1. Other than a few SDRs and that FT-3D, I don’t have a portable HF
> > receiver - is there something cheap that I can pick up from HRO or Amazon
> > that will let me tune up around 17/15m?
> > 2. Is there an antenna that's ideal for finding noise while walking
> > around? I have a VHF RX loop which I'm not sure will work in this use.
> >
> > Thanks and 73,
> >
> > Chris
> >
> >
>
> --
> -- Chris
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