Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source
I wish Radio Shack would also start selling amatuer radios again. Weren't they changing their name to simply "The Shack?" I've heard that they are doing this because someone threatened a lawsuit as they did not get the majority of their sales from "Radios." RS Lawyers: Just kidding - though they should change their name to "CellPhoneMP3 Shack." Martin - cool that you found it. We had a "touch on" lamp once that caused similar fits. That made its way to trash. I told my family that "it quit." Dave in Indy -- Message: 8 Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:16:11 -0700 From: Mike Sanburn To: Subject: Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Martin, 'glad that you found your noise source. I know the neighbors here have bug zappers and other toys. Upper half of the band is often just buzz. P.S. Wouldn't it be great if somebody could convince Radio Shack/Realistic to start manufacturing those little TRFs again??? I know that we have Ultralights now, but that was the ultralight of its day.Heading out to AZ and NM in a few days. 73 Mike Sanburn KG6LJU > From: martinfo...@cox.net > To: irca@hard-core-dx.com; a...@yahoogroups.com > Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:41:11 -0700 > Subject: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source > > I wanted to share this short story with the groups. > > In August I took a trip to Michigan to visit my parents and when I returned I found a big buzz on my radio across MW and SW. Just what I wanted at the start of the DX season. > > Well, today I had the house to myself so I took some time to turn off the main breaker and try to isolate the noise source. My old Radio Shack TRF was turned on and off went the power. Turning on each breaker individually and checking the TRF I finally isolated the noise to a breaker labeled PLUG. And of course it was the last breaker in the box. > > The PLUG breaker goes to all the wall plugs in the house so next I ran around the house unplugging things like the desktop computer/printer/wireless router, my radio stuff and the TV/Cable. These are all on power strips making it easy to disconnect whole systems with one plug. The noise was still present. > > Then I started searching the plugs in each bedroom and finally found the culprit. It was the charger for my wife's cell phone. She leaves it plugged in all the time. > > So don't give up on noise. I live on a busy corner with 5 street lights and my wife likes stuff that produces noise. We have a Plasma TV (no DX while that's on), halogen lights, fluorescent tubes, quartz lights on our patio, a remote control fan lamp, dimmers (these seem to be OK), Oreck XL air purifiers, and flood lamps in the kitchen that generate noise. > > Now I'm ready for the DX season. > > Martin > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source. (Thasnk you)
Hello Kevin I see I have a "breaker" well described by yourself. Yes I too have an old "Sony" transistor (tranny.) Now I know exactly what I am looking for I can start my investigations. The next problem is getting an empty house hi! Barry :-) --- On Sun, 13/9/09, kevin redding wrote: From: kevin redding Subject: Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source. (More info please) To: "Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America" Date: Sunday, 13 September, 2009, 12:29 AM On Sep 12, 2009, at 6:21 PM, BARRY DAVIES wrote: > Can you clarify what you mean by a "breaker?" A breaker is a switch at the mains panel that will trip off the circuit when too much current is drawn. The switch is resettable. > I wonder if this what I call a mains fuse box? A fuse box has screw in fuses. In the USA this is installation pre 1960. I took out the fuse box at my house recently and replaced it with breakers which I believe to be safer. > What is a "TRF?" A Tuned Radio Frequency. Generally a Radio Shack model 12-655 is called a TRF here by most DXers. It was an extremely cheap and highly effective DXing machine back before they ended selling about 1975. Hope this helps. Kevin ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source. (More info please)
On Sep 12, 2009, at 8:42 PM, Martin and Wendy Foltz wrote: The only real problem I have is the volume switch (variable resistor?) needs to be cleaned or replaced. Potentiometer. Kevin ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source. (More info please)
Thanks to all the answers from everyone. Yes, the breaker box replaced the fuse box a long time ago here in the US. There is a MAIN breaker to turn off all power and then individual breakers for each circuit. My TRF is the Model 12-655 but any portable would work. Bruce, my wife barely tolerates my radio hobby. I can take the TRF to the opposite end of the house when the TV is on and escape the noise it creates. It's still a good radio. The only real problem I have is the volume switch (variable resistor?) needs to be cleaned or replaced. Martin > Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:29:40 -0500 > From: kevin redding > Subject: Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source. (More info please) > > > On Sep 12, 2009, at 6:21 PM, BARRY DAVIES wrote: > > > Can you clarify what you mean by a "breaker?" > > A breaker is a switch at the mains panel that will trip off the > circuit when too much current is drawn. The switch is resettable. > > > I wonder if this what I call a mains fuse box? > > A fuse box has screw in fuses. In the USA this is installation pre > 1960. I took out the fuse box at my house recently and replaced it > with breakers which I believe to be safer. > > > What is a "TRF?" > > A Tuned Radio Frequency. Generally a Radio Shack model 12-655 is > called a TRF here by most DXers. It was an extremely cheap and highly > effective DXing machine back before they ended selling about 1975. > > Hope this helps. > > Kevin > > -- > > From: Bruce Portzer > > Maybe she's trying to tell you something ;-) ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source
Martin, 'glad that you found your noise source. I know the neighbors here have bug zappers and other toys. Upper half of the band is often just buzz. P.S. Wouldn't it be great if somebody could convince Radio Shack/Realistic to start manufacturing those little TRFs again??? I know that we have Ultralights now, but that was the ultralight of its day.Heading out to AZ and NM in a few days. 73 Mike Sanburn KG6LJU > From: martinfo...@cox.net > To: irca@hard-core-dx.com; a...@yahoogroups.com > Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:41:11 -0700 > Subject: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source > > I wanted to share this short story with the groups. > > In August I took a trip to Michigan to visit my parents and when I returned I > found a big buzz on my radio across MW and SW. Just what I wanted at the > start of the DX season. > > Well, today I had the house to myself so I took some time to turn off the > main breaker and try to isolate the noise source. My old Radio Shack TRF was > turned on and off went the power. Turning on each breaker individually and > checking the TRF I finally isolated the noise to a breaker labeled PLUG. And > of course it was the last breaker in the box. > > The PLUG breaker goes to all the wall plugs in the house so next I ran around > the house unplugging things like the desktop computer/printer/wireless > router, my radio stuff and the TV/Cable. These are all on power strips making > it easy to disconnect whole systems with one plug. The noise was still > present. > > Then I started searching the plugs in each bedroom and finally found the > culprit. It was the charger for my wife's cell phone. She leaves it plugged > in all the time. > > So don't give up on noise. I live on a busy corner with 5 street lights and > my wife likes stuff that produces noise. We have a Plasma TV (no DX while > that's on), halogen lights, fluorescent tubes, quartz lights on our patio, a > remote control fan lamp, dimmers (these seem to be OK), Oreck XL air > purifiers, and flood lamps in the kitchen that generate noise. > > Now I'm ready for the DX season. > > Martin > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original > contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its > editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > _ Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222986/direct/01/ ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source. (More info please)
BARRY DAVIES wrote: Hello Martin A similar problem here in Carlisle UK. Can you clarify what you mean by a "breaker?" This is an electrical circuit breaker. It is a device that trips, or disconnects, on an over current condition. It is not a fuse. There is a handle of the circuit breaker which can be set to the n or the off position, as well ad a trip condition which is often halfway between on and off. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_breaker I wonder if this what I call a mains fuse box? Might be if the box you describe has resettable over current protection devices. It turns a circuit off if something blows. Yes. What is a "TRF?" A mediumwave portable receiver. TRF is a tuned radio frequency amplifier design. http://chowdanet.com/markc/WEB2005A/1967_realistic_10-trf.gif Rick Kunath ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source
Martin and Wendy Foltz wrote: So don't give up on noise. I live on a busy corner with 5 street lights and my wife likes stuff that produces noise. Maybe she's trying to tell you something ;-) ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source. (More info please)
On Sep 12, 2009, at 6:21 PM, BARRY DAVIES wrote: Can you clarify what you mean by a "breaker?" A breaker is a switch at the mains panel that will trip off the circuit when too much current is drawn. The switch is resettable. I wonder if this what I call a mains fuse box? A fuse box has screw in fuses. In the USA this is installation pre 1960. I took out the fuse box at my house recently and replaced it with breakers which I believe to be safer. What is a "TRF?" A Tuned Radio Frequency. Generally a Radio Shack model 12-655 is called a TRF here by most DXers. It was an extremely cheap and highly effective DXing machine back before they ended selling about 1975. Hope this helps. Kevin ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source. (More info please)
Hello Martin A similar problem here in Carlisle UK. Can you clarify what you mean by a "breaker?" I wonder if this what I call a mains fuse box? It turns a circuit off if something blowsWhat is a "TRF?" Clarification appreciated OM. Barry :-) --- On Sat, 12/9/09, Martin and Wendy Foltz wrote: From: Martin and Wendy Foltz Subject: [IRCA] The hunt for a noise source To: irca@hard-core-dx.com, a...@yahoogroups.com Date: Saturday, 12 September, 2009, 10:41 PM I wanted to share this short story with the groups. In August I took a trip to Michigan to visit my parents and when I returned I found a big buzz on my radio across MW and SW. Just what I wanted at the start of the DX season. Well, today I had the house to myself so I took some time to turn off the main breaker and try to isolate the noise source. My old Radio Shack TRF was turned on and off went the power. Turning on each breaker individually and checking the TRF I finally isolated the noise to a breaker labeled PLUG. And of course it was the last breaker in the box. The PLUG breaker goes to all the wall plugs in the house so next I ran around the house unplugging things like the desktop computer/printer/wireless router, my radio stuff and the TV/Cable. These are all on power strips making it easy to disconnect whole systems with one plug. The noise was still present. Then I started searching the plugs in each bedroom and finally found the culprit. It was the charger for my wife's cell phone. She leaves it plugged in all the time. So don't give up on noise. I live on a busy corner with 5 street lights and my wife likes stuff that produces noise. We have a Plasma TV (no DX while that's on), halogen lights, fluorescent tubes, quartz lights on our patio, a remote control fan lamp, dimmers (these seem to be OK), Oreck XL air purifiers, and flood lamps in the kitchen that generate noise. Now I'm ready for the DX season. Martin ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] The hunt for a noise source
I wanted to share this short story with the groups. In August I took a trip to Michigan to visit my parents and when I returned I found a big buzz on my radio across MW and SW. Just what I wanted at the start of the DX season. Well, today I had the house to myself so I took some time to turn off the main breaker and try to isolate the noise source. My old Radio Shack TRF was turned on and off went the power. Turning on each breaker individually and checking the TRF I finally isolated the noise to a breaker labeled PLUG. And of course it was the last breaker in the box. The PLUG breaker goes to all the wall plugs in the house so next I ran around the house unplugging things like the desktop computer/printer/wireless router, my radio stuff and the TV/Cable. These are all on power strips making it easy to disconnect whole systems with one plug. The noise was still present. Then I started searching the plugs in each bedroom and finally found the culprit. It was the charger for my wife's cell phone. She leaves it plugged in all the time. So don't give up on noise. I live on a busy corner with 5 street lights and my wife likes stuff that produces noise. We have a Plasma TV (no DX while that's on), halogen lights, fluorescent tubes, quartz lights on our patio, a remote control fan lamp, dimmers (these seem to be OK), Oreck XL air purifiers, and flood lamps in the kitchen that generate noise. Now I'm ready for the DX season. Martin ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
