Transmission Lines.

[Anonymous]

5/20/21.

Good day all, I hope you and yours are well. I’m curious to know how power transmission lines will affect a horizontal dipole. I do not know the voltage, they are not the large ones (See photo) 3 lines, and dipole will be approximately 60′ from the centerline. Thanks for any advice. Regards, Mike.

Central Mass.

KC1NCT.

[Burns FISHER]

I’d guess (and someone with more knowledge should speak up) that 60Hz is not a big deal.  But the problem is with the pretty high voltage lines like this is that they tend to arc in high humidity, and that makes quite a mess of QRM both RF and AF!  The good news is that it wastes electricity, so sometimes I have heard that the power company will respond to complaints.

[Hamilton]

Hello Michael,

A portable AM radio (not FM) is a good initial sniffer. Any QRM will be strongest in the AM broadcast band and reduces at higher frequencies.

If you discover there is strong QRM near the power lines you can walk along the power line route in a attempt to locate the hot spot.

I found the noise peaked a 1/2 mile from my house. Eversource came out the same week I called them. They replaced a damaged insulator.

If you find the QRM near the line is the same as when you are well away from the line you should be ok. If it is ok in the AM BC band it will only get better in the higher bands.

Hamilton K1HMS

[Anonymous]

Thanks, appreciate the information. Take care.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, great information to know. Appreciate the come back. Be well.

[Author]

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