[PVRCNC] Line noise locator

[Bill Tippett]

 >Does anyone have the MFJ-856 line noise locator (or similar)? If so, do
they work well for you?

         Will I have 852 which has the identical RX but a dipole
instead of Yagi antenna.  The unit uses AM detection in the VHF band,
so it's only useful if you've narrowed down the noise location to
a specific area.  I normally use my car radio tuned to 1710 kHz to
locate noise by driving around.  I also have a Sony 2010 which is
useful to locate a general area (the whip tip maximizes noise so I
use that for DF-ing...also used a Palomar Loop but since sold it.
The 852 has a built in dipole antenna with two retractable
whips and can locate the exact pole once you are in the right
area of the noise.

         When I was up at VY2ZM's, we could have used one of
these.  We found the general area but could not isolate which
of 3 different poles was the source.  Jeff ordered two of
them...one for himself and one to give to the power company.
They previously had difficulty verifying they had fixed
noise problems and this would be perfect for doing that.

         Don't expect miracles from it but if you can locate
the general location it will work fairly well.  Even better
is a receiver like an old Kenwood R800.  It covered up to
800 MHz and had AM detection over the entire range.  I used
W0YG's in Colorado with Yagis for both 2m and 440.  Once I
isolated a pole on 2m, I switched to 440 and could point
the ~10 element 440 to the exact spot on the pole.  Again
you need to be close to the source for VHF to work and AM
detection is absolutely necessary (FM won't work).

                                         73,  Bill  W4ZV