Identifying noise sources

[ka3jjz]

As I mentioned in a previous thread, noise is the enemy when it comes to HF. There are so many sources for noise, that it's nearly impossible to identify them all. But here's a site that is very useful on that very subject....I probably will add this to the HF Wiki...

RF Noise Identification

The first step to eliminating a noise problem is identifying it ....73s Mike

 

[cj5]

Great site! I have used this a lot. I also use this to identify DX http://www.kb9ukd.com/digital/. These should be updated though. I have picked up a lot of noise that neither site identifies, and would like to find out more on how to capture, identify, and submit the RFI I pick up.

 

[xusmarine1979]

Good source, I'll have to look around when I get home tonight.

 

[LarrySC]

I just filed a complaint with FCC on Duke Power Co here is the Carolinas. Towers coming from the Oconee Nuclear station are carring static that you wouldnt beleive. Between -0- and 30MHz spikes are 20db over S-9 on a Yaesu. Using two IFR service monitors at two locations looking at a band width of 5 to 9 MHz it looked like a picket fence. Their tec said it was the cable co. When I told the tec what it was he said "Oh no it couldnt be that" Load on the power grid drops at night and spikes go down. Winter is comming and I hope I can use my equipment. Been here 36 years and this is first time I couldnt enjoy utility monitoring. Good Luck to all. Larry

 

[ka3jjz]

Great site! I have used this a lot. I also use this to identify DX http://www.kb9ukd.com/digital/. These should be updated though. I have picked up a lot of noise that neither site identifies, and would like to find out more on how to capture, identify, and submit the RFI I pick up.

Actually I think you're mixing up the 2 sites; unless, of course, there's a way to feed the noise from an old motor in a generator into a soundcard to be decoded ....

The one I gave is for noise sources such as appliances and such; the one that you have is for digital signals - equally as interesting, just a different application. In fact, I've added this site (which is normally very good) along with 2 others I knew about into the Utility wiki.

If someone does come up with a site that describes, in detail, how to document RFI from things like electric and cable companies, let's see it! 73s Mike

 

[cj5]

Actually I think you're mixing up the 2 sites; unless, of course, there's a way to feed the noise from an old motor in a generator into a soundcard to be decoded ....

Indeed, you're right, it's just that back when I first started scanning, I was very unsure of the difference between RFI noise and digital noise. You'd be surprised that I could pick up low frequency noise (that screaming bleeping noise you get when logging onto the Internet) from my old telephone modem, thus bringing the two noises together. Is it considered RFI or digital signal?