[SOC] Digital QRN

[Wayne_W5KDJ]

The AC power & Gas company's in Houston use remote digital transmitters

in their meters.  The meters are read by driving down the street and

recording the received information.  The meters transmit in the 900Mhz

range.  My AC meter went screwball (technical term) and became a 

spectrum generator from DC to beyond 175Mhz.  Try operating in the HF

bands with this thing transmitting a digital pulse train every 2

seconds.  The pulse train would disappear when it rained and return when

things dried out.  I thought at first it was a defective light sensor

on a light pole in the neighborhood.  I broke out my trusty $5/9v AM/Fm

radio (Spectrum anaylizer) and tuned between stations in the AM band.

Walked around the house and outside and tracked down the noise to the

AC meter.  Radio just about jumped out of my hand when placed by the 

meter.  I called the meter people and they came out at no charge and

installed a new mechanicle meter at my request.

 




Wayne_W5KDJ
NW Houston
SV0WWW_TF2WJN
ARCI_11325 * ARS_1392 * SOC_538