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Post by kenglish on Jun 25, 2011 11:30:15 GMT -6
Kinda wish I didn't have to go to work so early Sunday.... Bountiful City is turning off all their electric power from 1:00 AM until about 4:00, to change out some major equipment: www.ksl.com/?nid=960&sid=16109396I wonder what radio will sound like, without all the power line noise, Plasma TV set noise, computer RFI, etc? It'd be interesting if someone had the equipment to document the before-and-during noise floor. Could even be a cool University EE project. |
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Post by CAwasinNJ on Jun 25, 2011 15:31:42 GMT -6
I wonder what radio will sound like, without all the power line noise, Plasma TV set noise, computer RFI, etc? It'd be interesting if someone had the equipment to document the before-and-during noise floor. Could even be a cool University EE project. Definitely an interesting question. The problem I would think would be that most equipment that you would need for such an experiment would be AC powered. Running a generator would create its own RF noise, wouldn't it? A big honking UPS would probably work if you happened to have one. |
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Post by kenglish on Jun 26, 2011 11:05:50 GMT -6
Do a Google search for "Fermilab Morocco Site Visit Summary" (a pdf). They built a bag, using copper screening, for their generator. That's where they are building the new radiotelescope...the "Quietest place on earth".
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Post by dxstuboy on Jun 27, 2011 10:22:09 GMT -6
I have battery powered radios, and have seen the power go out several times (once for a day and a half in Salt Lake). It was the best DX conditions I've had in awhile, without all of the RFI crud.
I only wish the Sony HD Tuner I have was battery powered, it would be cool to see KSL or KOA lock at night if the power were out. KSL has come marginally close here in Sheridan, it booms in here every night.
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Post by CAwasinNJ on Jun 27, 2011 21:47:30 GMT -6
I wonder how hard it would be to build a half Faraday cage so that all the equipment and the antenna are completely shielded from anything to the sides or bottom but open on the top. The only RF it would receive (theoretically) would be from above. Put it high enough and you might be able to simulate the same thing without having to turn everything off.
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Post by dxstuboy on Jun 28, 2011 18:11:42 GMT -6
I live in a stucco apartment... that is essentially a Faraday cage  |
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Post by kenglish on Jun 29, 2011 6:42:07 GMT -6
My best results are with the McKay-Dymek DA-5 (Shielded Ferrite Bar) Antenna, outside on the balcony. Second best is with it inside the (stucco) apartment, near the glass sliding door.
The Ramsey "Signal Magnet" is OK outdoors, but the ferrite rod is a bit shorter (7.5 inches, IIRC) than the Dymek (12"), so it doesn't null as well as the DA-5.
I'm building a couple of loops when I get a chance ("Chance" is engineer-speak for, "find the tool I need...it's at home, someplace"). I'm also toying with making a loop from some yardsticks and a dozen feet of ribbon cable....and, of course, Duct Tape.
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