Phil_KD0SCJ
Member
I am reviving an old hobby of shortwave listening, and need some advice on power line interference. I am using a Kenwood R-1000, coax to a balun, and a choice of 2 antennas.
Antenna 'A' is a longwire end-fed, about 80 feet running north/south at about 20 feet (may elevate more depending on your response).
Antenna 'B' is essentially a Beverage antenna, a run of barb-wire running north/south for an unknown distance, but I think it is about 1,000 feet.
So far so good, right. Here's my problem. Running parallel to both these antennas and about 100 feet east, is a major power transmission line, one of the point to point types. If I recall, it's around 200KV. The antennas are literally in the shadow of this power line.
I cannot increase the distance from the power line. In fact, the barb wire antenna is also my principal property line.
I do NOT know yet if my interference is related to this power line. I am going to try an experiment next week and run the receiver on battery power and shut down my house at the meter. That will eliminate all the interference I can control.
However, in the mean time, I need to know if I have rocks in my head for even trying to get decent SQL in the shadow of a major power line. If so, then I will placate my interests by going out into the wilderness at night and throwing up an antenna into the trees, and stop my plans for more elaborate antennas, feedlines and accessories.
By the way, I also use a 2-meter handheld and the powerline gives me no issues on that. I know it's a lot higher frequency and all.
Also, though outside the scope of this particular forum, if anyone has thoughts on how this might influence amateur radio operations 20-meter, 40-meter, I'd appreciate it!
~Phil
Antenna 'A' is a longwire end-fed, about 80 feet running north/south at about 20 feet (may elevate more depending on your response).
Antenna 'B' is essentially a Beverage antenna, a run of barb-wire running north/south for an unknown distance, but I think it is about 1,000 feet.
So far so good, right. Here's my problem. Running parallel to both these antennas and about 100 feet east, is a major power transmission line, one of the point to point types. If I recall, it's around 200KV. The antennas are literally in the shadow of this power line.
I cannot increase the distance from the power line. In fact, the barb wire antenna is also my principal property line.
I do NOT know yet if my interference is related to this power line. I am going to try an experiment next week and run the receiver on battery power and shut down my house at the meter. That will eliminate all the interference I can control.
However, in the mean time, I need to know if I have rocks in my head for even trying to get decent SQL in the shadow of a major power line. If so, then I will placate my interests by going out into the wilderness at night and throwing up an antenna into the trees, and stop my plans for more elaborate antennas, feedlines and accessories.
By the way, I also use a 2-meter handheld and the powerline gives me no issues on that. I know it's a lot higher frequency and all.
Also, though outside the scope of this particular forum, if anyone has thoughts on how this might influence amateur radio operations 20-meter, 40-meter, I'd appreciate it!
~Phil