Steps to Lower Noise Floor and Revitalize AM Radio

[skeezix]

http://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/0004/steps-to-lower-noise-floor-and-revitalize-am-radio/339995

Dear Valued FCC,

Please read this article. If you want quantitative data, then come to my house and you can measure yourself. By sitting in the driveway, you can get at least four different & distinct RFI sources (at least that I've been able to determine as distinct). And please tell me why I receive RFI on my inside house wiring when the main breaker is off.

Then we will go on a short drive with clear evidence of more RFI.

In 2001 when I moved into my house, RFI was non-existent. It was soooooo quiet. Today its a mess and getting worse.


Sincerely,
skeezix
U.S. citizen & taxpayer (oh boy, am I a taxpayer!)


_   /|
\'o.O'
=(___)=
   U      ack!

[redhat]

You beat me to it Skeezix, I was going to post this as well.

+-RH

[Pigmeat]

It was 2005 here when it got bad. Our local phone company was sold. Verizon hadn't kept the right of ways up worth a damn and the new carrier didn't have the resources. It's gotten steadily worse as branches decorate phone, power and cable lines everywhere. Throw in all the new RF spewing devices and the region is now known as "The Static Valley" by local hams and tech guys.

When I moved in here, the two big sources of outside RF noise were when the pumps on water intake down the road kicked on and the guy across the street's garage opener.

[BoomboxDX]

In my world, it's been a tradeoff. In the past, it was the powerline buzz. Now it's the power company's smart meter. Periodically it rips away with s9 of buzz. But it's maybe once a week or so.

I've had no issues with LED lights, or CFL's that work properly.

My router does put out some RFI, but not enough to keep me from DXing.

Poor propagation? Yeah.

But I can sympathise with those who have worse RFI. One neighbor's washing machine put out alien sounds all over the lower HF, and another neighbor's twin plasma TV's wreaked tons of havoc all over the 40 and 41 meter bands.

The main problem with AM radio is the crappy antennas on most cars, as well as the fact that auto computers aren't shielded well for RFI.