Interference problem

[funfly53]

I'm getting some kind of interference on my CB that sounds like someone keying up a mic. It lasts about 2 seconds and happens about every 3 seconds 24/7. I've unplugged everything in my building so I'm pretty sure it's not coming from inside. There are a couple towers 3 or 4 miles from my house (not sure what kind). Could they be causing the problem or could it be my old antenna?
Thanks

[Foliant]

24/7

Maybe Smart-Metering?

[funfly53]

Don't want to sound dumb but what is "Smart Metering" ?

[MDYoungblood]

Don't want to sound dumb but what is "Smart Metering" ?

"Smart Meter" is the new meters the electric companies are using to keep track of our usage, yes they transmit a signal and yes they are noisy. The noise may not even be coming from your house could be a neighbor, traffic and street lights, and possibly the towers you said earlier but I don't think that 3 miles away would be possible. I have track down several problems in my area by just riding around on the channel that is having the interference. If you unplug the antenna and still have the noise it is electrical, coming through the wiring or being picked up by it.

3's

Greg

[funfly53]

I did unplug the antenna and it stopped. Would there be some kind of filter to help in a situation like this?

'

[funfly53]

Oh by the way, it's on all channels including uppers and lower and my scanner.

[MDYoungblood]

That shows it is being transmitted, got to be something close. The time intervals makes me think it is a traffic signal or a warning light, do you happen to have one close by?

3's

Greg

[funfly53]

No Greg, actually I'm a long ways from any kind of traffic signal. After paying closer attention the intervals are faster and constant about a long second between. On the scanner I can cut the squelch down and not hear it until it picks up a signal and then it's louder than the talk. It's kind of discouraging since I took a while deciding if I was going to get back into this again.

[MDYoungblood]

I understand this noise is on your base, is it noticeable in the mobile too? Does is sound mechanical or an arching static? At what point does a modulated signal override it? Now you got me really curious.

3's

Greg

[funfly53]

I don't have a mobile. It's more of a mechanical static. And, the modulated signal doesn't override it. It overrides everything.

[MDYoungblood]

Just out curiosity, if you have a long (50 or 100ft) extension cord, try plugging it in at different receptacles in the house, if you have a generator, hook up to it and kill all the power to the house. If you have the 12v power cord, hook to a battery or power supply, (power supplies are filtered). Do you have the antenna grounded well, static discharges can build up on a fiberglass antenna, I'm guessing that is what you have, not so much on metal antennas. Also a static discharge/lightning arrestor inline with the coax, grounded as well. The only other thing it is something in the radio causing it.

3's

Greg

[funfly53]

Yes it is a fiberglass antenna. I'm not clear on the grounding. What would be the best way to ground it?

[MDYoungblood]

Yes it is a fiberglass antenna. I'm not clear on the grounding. What would be the best way to ground it?

A couple of ground rods from Home Depot and some heavy copper wire from the antennas support structure (bottom of the mast) to the rods. You can look up antenna grounding on the forum, lots of info. Lightning arrestor info too.

3's

Greg

[funfly53]

Ok, I'll give it a try.