airtraffic

Author Topic: KBUF down  (Read 7544 times)

Offline dan9125

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KBUF down
« on: February 06, 2010, 09:00:31 AM »
KBUF is down temporarily due to a computer problem. Should be back soon.
 
  Dan



Offline dan9125

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Re: KBUF down
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2010, 07:35:04 PM »
KBUF is back, new antenna is next. Hoping to improve reception and try to eliminate some annoying electrical noise.
  Dan

Offline dave

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Re: KBUF down
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2010, 10:01:45 AM »
Thanks Dan - electrical noise (I assume you mean line noise, typically from bad insulators or loose hardware on the poles) is the worst.

Many electrical utilities are responsive to noise complaints, especially if you can locate the source yourself and give them a pole number.  Often it is not just one source.

A handheld scanner set to aviation band with the squelch open is a great tool for searching around.  You might start in your car with the AM radio tuned to an open frequency (during the day is best).  That will often get you in the region - and then you can go on foot to pinpoint it.  If you have a small directional antenna that helps a lot - it does not have to be resonant in the aviation band since that can make the size a little unwieldy - but it should have some kind of directional pattern to it.  Even a short dipole can be helpful.

Here is a product that I have found helpful on occasional, but you can certainly do this on your own with a handheld scanner:

http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/meters/4030.html

Hope this helps.

Dave

Offline dan9125

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Re: KBUF down
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2010, 01:57:56 PM »
Thanks Dave,
  Somedays the noise is real bad and other days its quiet. The weaker signals really suffer when its in the "bad mode". I will make an attempt to track it down next time it kicks in, thanks for the tracking tips.
  Dan

Offline dave

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Re: KBUF down
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2010, 02:00:46 PM »
Thanks Dave,
  Somedays the noise is real bad and other days its quiet. The weaker signals really suffer when its in the "bad mode". I will make an attempt to track it down next time it kicks in, thanks for the tracking tips.
  Dan

Depending on the actual source and cause, rainy days can be helpful (but sometimes hurtful).  More often than not I have found that rainy days are helpful.  Windy days can be bad.  But, again, it varies based on the actual source and cause.