Swl

[Einstein]

I just started to get back into SWL and have noticed that in trying to listen to the SW broadcasts that the noise floor is very high. Since I have been out of SWL for a while I am not sure if this is normal for this time of the year or the cycle. I am using a Icom low band receiver and a long wire antenna. Can anyone advise.

Thanks and have a Merry Christmas.

 

[kb2vxa]

It all depends on what you call "noise" a "noise floor" and "very high". Such ambiguous terms say nothing to me so try being more specific.

 

[Einstein]

It all depends on what you call "noise" a "noise floor" and "very high". Such ambiguous terms say nothing to me so try being more specific.

Noise- Static, White, Garbage etc.
Noise Floor- A level that makes the low levels signals un-receivable. In this case a S-10 on the receivers meter, I guess you would call it, and without dragging out my service monitor and other test equipment I was hopeing for a simple answer to a simple question. Oh well.

 

[kwrxxx]

You might live in a area where Broadband over power line(BPL) is used and that will jam SWL in your area. If you do live in a area with BPL there is nothing you can do about it.

 

[Einstein]

Alot of things are not shielded like they should be. The interference was from 2 sources, one was my Coolsat sat. receiver box and the second was the fan on the hot water tank. The Coolsat box was the strongest of the two. I should of checked it on the spectrum analyzer to see what the actual signal strength was and how far the interference extended in the spectrum, after the holiday's I think I will do that. As far as the fan, you would think also that the blades on the fan spinning, with the motor interference,would interfere on 800 mhz or so, those blades are about a quarter wave at 800. lol

 

[k9rzz]

Thunderstorms in the summer will raise your noise. Noisy equipment in your neighborhood will raise your noise. Different parts of the solar cycle won't change your noise. Propagation, in general, right now stinks. Hope that helps.

 

[a29zuk]

I just purchased a new HF receiver myself. Now I'm getting back into HF monitoring since my Yacht Boy 400 took a crap about 5 years ago. I ran a shielded cable out to a hammock post about 20' from the house and fed my antenna from there. That took care of a lot of noise that is generated in the house.
Happy DX

 

[kb2vxa]

"In this case a S-10 on the receivers meter..."

The S scale only goes up to 9 but I won't be so pedantic, assuming you mean 10dB/S9 I'd say that's a lot of noise.

"I was hoping for a simple answer to a simple question. Oh well."

Oh well yourself, once you explained yourself the answers came rolling in. You're on your way to quieting things down, now do a little reading up on practical ways to track down sources in your house and shut them up. Oh don't ask, search this site by key words, we have endless posts about it.

I hope most of them are on site, neighbors usually don't take too kindly to being told they have faulty equipment and couldn't care less about noise and interference unless it affects them. Good luck and count your blessings, with all the crappy made in China consumer electronics in this building plus 13KV high tension feeders right out front this place is hopeless.