08/15/2025
By Phil Temples, K9HI, ARRL New England Division Vice Director
The New England Division RFI Team[1] assisted Tom Lanieri, NU2W, of North
Chelmsford, Massachusetts, with a significant RFI problem he's been suffering
with for many years.
Tom writes: "I moved from central New Jersey ten years ago and knew from day
one that my experiences with HF and amateur radio were doomed because of the
noise and the HOA restrictions. So I dabbled in successfully resuscitating
vintage gear: a full Collins S-line, Drake twins, Heaths, Hallicrafters,
Hammarlunds, amplifiers, receivers, transmitters, and all the peripherals. It
took me over 40 years to acquire reasonably repairable, functional priced
radios."
Then Tom was introduced to one of the New England Division RFI teams consisting
of W1DAN, W1EMI, and N2YCH.
"After two-plus years, seven hours, two guest visits, RFI gear, and more than
three-and-a-half hours of travel time for a few, they determined the very best
I could achieve was to try some alternate signal-to-noise improvement methods,"
Tom recounted.
"We tried everything. Something is out there-an electrically driven noise
generator that disappears only with a local power outage. It is 24x7, in good
weather or bad, regardless of season-and directionally, it has no origination
point. I guess it will remain a mystery. However, I must state for the record
that these three technicians, who have personal employment obligations, found
the means to visit me. They were patient, tenacious and friendly, and I deeply
appreciate it at incredible levels."
Tom notes that it was a true learning experience. He and the team enjoyed
"sniffing out noise" with different antenna arrays, scope/analyzers, and SDR
devices.
"They left with me a new ARRL publication, Ham Radio for Indoors[2]. I will
read that thoroughly. Coupled with other ARRL books and their suggestions, I
will try to adopt a new way of hamming. I am looking forward to their report,
and I will consider all of the options they present, from a very stealthy thin
wire dipole to a new whizzbang feature rich, RFI-eliminating rig."
Tom concludes: "I am proud to be an ARRL member and to have met this entirely
professional team of RFI techs. Please recognize them in some way."
[1] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDA5ODE1JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zO
TI3NTQwMw/index.html
[2] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDA5ODE1JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zO
TI3NTQwNA/index.html
---
■ Synchronet ■ Whiskey Lover's Amateur Radio BBS
|
