'Interference': Any undesired signal that tends to interfere with reception.
I thought it time to start a thread that brings all our noise knowledge into one place, especially to help those living with frustration and those who may be less experienced and knowledgeable. Perhaps we could bring our troubleshooting, isolating, and resolution tips here, along with any screen captures we might grab.
Qualification: June 3 2014 Please Note that this looks at H field only, Amplifier 1, channels A (red) and B (green). Among other difference between E and H fields amps: You CANNOT DISABLE E-field signals by checking "don't send" on the settings page. The server wants to see all three channels. Best you can do is set gains to 1x1, thresholds to "0". You can adjust gains. E field signals look different, and interference location is a different process.
We all want the clearest signal at the maximum distance that supports the network, and - for myself - there is some 'pride' and curiosity involved. We have healthy servings of those, or we wouldn't get involved it this! Contra-wise, we also want to avoid hindering the network efficiency by ignoring 'nearby' signals... especially as more stations come online in the USA. Our 'long range' capability becomes less a factor, and clean signals become more important... not ignoring the heavier load on the servers due to mucho 'noise' signals.
The first phase would be to identify, if we can, the type and source of interference. And that becomes quite a chore sometimes.
RFI GUIDE From New Zealand, a PDF... pages 1 through 9 have good info!
Radio Jay Allen's Web Page or Download as PDF A thorough, simple look-see, although aimed at AM broadcast, it's very applicable, and not technical.
The cleanest signals we can obtain?
And if we've constructed well, are fortunate, in a good location, with adequate antennas, we should acquire strokes and signals similar right from the start.
Moving on to computer noise!
The above 2 images result from an HP Laptop 5 and 10 feet distant from the antennas.
Now, take a piece of wire, connect it to the computer case (metal, hopefully) and ground it to the controller!
Well, that was simple enough. Now it may be tolerable.
At the far right, what appears to be a signal from a streetlight! Sodium or Mercury vapor?... and they'll put you in interference in a jiffy!
Possible Quick Resolutions: 1) If you've isolated it to a street light, the power company, city, or other utility or factory is responsible. In some areas the Property Owner has to make the complaint. Tell 'em there's a street light/security light failing. Could also tell 'em it's interfering with your late night A.M. Talk Radio program reception... You've got the FCC on your side. But not necessarily for lightning detector interference! More importantly, tell 'em if you're pretty sure it's a transformer or insulator... you don't won't to be powerless during cold weather! (Or hot, for that matter)... .
Automobiles, Power Tools, Other Noisy Stuff.
May resemble a 60Hz line noise, depending on engine etc!
Possible Quick Resolutions: 1) Patience, it'll drive off, ...or run out of fuel.
Yes, resembles computer and other similar interference, doesn't it?
Hope these initial blurbs help.... post your experience, screen grabs and tips!
Same is true for those electronic "pet fences". Seems like both resemble the 'computer interference' images somewhat.
Take a shot of the signal after someone turns on a plasma TV...I think you will be amazed. I had a plasma TV for about a week and then took it back. When the TV was on, it completely wiped out my HF ham radio.
Wow Mike, thanks for sharing this!
Please, Could you give me an eye to my signal to verify if it's apparently ok?
I also posted the image below.....what meaning this message near the captured strike?
Mike, I think this is a fantastic idea.
I know it will help me.
I like it. Kind of a "rogues gallery" of noises.
I'll post my bad ones here when they occur.
the settings should be 512 128 and some percentage... mine's set for 30%, and under 'A/D Converter' 56 28 12bits and 2. That might be what's happening.
Yeah, Tim. I had a recent spurt of interference that looked very similar to the computer interference. I think was about 55-56Khz. Neighbor next door had just moved their big plasma to an outside wall, facing my garage. Negotiated a slight movement of the TV to the corner of their room, now minimal interference, but still some on rare occasions.
http://radiojayallen.com/combatting-am-and-sw-interference/ A thorough, simple look-see, although aimed at AM broadcast, it's very applicable, and not technical.
Thanks for the helpful info. What is it that you're using to capture the signals and make those nice signal and noise graphs?
I posted a link, and guess we can post more, to a page regarding intereference... maybe move all the links to the first post as you post 'em. Anyway, he mentions building structure, and discusses the blocking of signals.
A few weeks ago, I rolled up a couple of 300mm ferrites per Don F's 250mm design, and replaced my 120mm, shielded kit ferrites with them. Possibly because of the increased gain, this longer pair has a better S/N than the 120s overall. And they perform better unshielded.
Antenna type, placement and orientation is important for some types of interference. For e.g. If I only had one source of street light interference, instead of three right now, with this TOA system not directionally critical, I could 'null' one antenna by pointing its 'core' end directly toward the light. However, with the current trinary source and the radiating home shell, that has very little effect. The stronger fields are pretty much detected from 'all directions'.
What is it that you're using to capture the signals and make those nice signal and noise graphs?
Those are just screen captures of the signals display of the web interface for the Blitzortung controller. Nothing dramatic or fancy at all.
OK, here is one that I just captured. I see this all the time. I call it the Two-Horn noise because it looks like it has horns (or maybe ears).
This is one of the nasty ones, it just started all of a sudden.
Greg, I see this occasionally too!
That looks like a sodium/mercury light! If I can catch one of mine acting like that, we can compare. On both antennas, out of phase! Check the diagonal directions. Weather's cooler, it's having trouble starting.
Page created in 0.08 seconds with 50 queries.