[Lf] Synchronous Noise Blankers

[Richard Goodman]

Gentlemen,
    Get out your soldering irons.  Finally a project that met every
expectation I had and then some!   I had looked at the Synchronous Noise
Blanker by John Reed,  KA5QEP on the Longwave Home Page.    It looked kind
of interesting.... I also spoke to Andre.  He sent me a letter and drawing
showing some modifications that he made to this device.  To make a long
story short,  I built this thing.  I've been having severe problems with
line noise.  Quartz Halogen "Torchette" lamps were a big problem... but the
killer was something that would come on for several hours every evening. 
It was super strong.... about half to 3/4 meter deflection on my RX320.  It
totally wasted the entire LF spectrum from 60 KHz up above 300 KHz.  Just a
huge raspy buzz.  Usually starts up about 5 PM and sometime goes until
after midnight.  I tried locating it with an AM broadcasr radio but it
seems to come from every electricial outlet  and all wiring in the house. 
I shut off every circuit breaker but it was still there! I think it's
coming from a transformer located about 100 feet from the house (but I'm
not absolutely sure).  
    This noise blanker almost COMPLETELY gets rid of it ... it's amazing. 
I went from total overlaod to being able to copy the AMRAD beacon perfectly
(with Spectran).  You can barely tell the interference is there.... after
awhile I switch the filter off to see if the interference has gone away
(but with the filter out it's as bad as ever).   It seems to raise the
noise floor just a little bit but I'm still able to do serious weak signal
work with the filter running.... BEST WORKING PROJECT THAT I'VE EVER BUILT!

        Thanks John Reed,  KA5QEP and also to Andre, N4ICK  !!

                I EAT TORCHETTE LAMPS FOR BREAKFAST NOW  !!!!!!!

                        73

                        Dick,  WA3USG