Interference?

[Don C]

Ok I have been out of radio for nearly 20-years. Last setup was a Galaxy 2517, Mako 4-elem flat, with Ameritron AL 1200, used mainly on 11-meters. That setup caused issues with the neighbors, televisions, and telephones eventually had to get rid of the setup.

Fast forward to today, have an itch to do some talking, nothing crazy like prior setup. Thinking about 10 & 11 meter AM/SSB, ICOM 718, with a vertical base antenna, might jump up to 300-400 watts at some point. Am I going to have an issue with interference? I would guess technology has come a long way, improvements?

 

[kopcicle]

Depends on how long ago you were last on.
At least there isn't broadcast TV to interfere with now.
However...

Galaxy 2517, Mako 4-elem flat, with Ameritron AL 1200

And it caused interference? Imagine that

There may be better rigs to use than the modded 718 but if it's what you have then go for it. Most recent amateur radio gear gets the most out of a possible signal without enraging a neighbor or six but the possibility still exists.

Couple of things that will help.
No ESSB, Zombie Audio, or heavy processing.
Quality coax
Low observability or stealth antennas.
Eliminate common mode energy coming down a feedline.
Use quality coax (see above)
Keep VSWR to a minimum
Make the antenna resonant , then work on the feed point impedance.

This last bit , feed point impedance, can be confusing but generally a half wave dipole is around 73 ohms when sufficiently above ground. A vertical is around 36 ohms (without any matching device) .

In order to keep this simple a quality 1:1 current balun at the feed point of a dipole and proper matching of a vertical fed with a common mode choke.

You're only going to find out by transmitting who of your neighbors has the cheep chineseium crap that at once interferes with your receive and screams bloody murder when you transmit.

Just pay attention to detail and do it .

 

[fourstringburn]

Welcome to the forum and back to the hobby!

Interference is something that we all are concerned with because we want to be good neighbors while enjoying are hobby.

With a modern HF rig like the 718, your radio signal should be cleaner compared to CB radio's especially if they have been doctored up. This helps because an amplifier will send out what it takes in. "Garbage in, garbage out".

Your old setup could have caused interference from multiple sources and that big amp only compounded it. Once you get into big power like that, everything at your station is critical from coax quality, coax connectors and proper installations, RF grounds, etc.

A vertical antenna should work fine and power under 400 watts should be sufficient. Just use quality coax and connectors. Also many vertical antennas need/should use radials and a RF choke at the feedpoint should keep common currents off the feedline which can cause RF interference too.

 

[Slowmover]

Ok I have been out of radio for nearly 20-years. Last setup was a Galaxy 2517, Mako 4-elem flat, with Ameritron AL 1200, used mainly on 11-meters. That setup caused issues with the neighbors, televisions, and telephones eventually had to get rid of the setup.

Fast forward to today, have an itch to do some talking, nothing crazy like prior setup. Thinking about 10 & 11 meter AM/SSB, ICOM 718, with a vertical base antenna, might jump up to 300-400 watts at some point. Am I going to have an issue with interference? I would guess technology has come a long way, improvements?

Vertical at a home in a subdivision?
Roof-mount?

.

 

[Don C]

Vertical at a home in a subdivision?
Roof-mount?

.

Yes we are in a sub-division. Antenna will be mounted approximately 6-8' above the high roof line, 2-story home. Looking for vertical antenna, any recommendations?

 

[kopcicle]

any recommendations?

...seriously, metal 5/8 wave.

 

[Slowmover]

Yes we are in a sub-division. Antenna will be mounted approximately 6-8' above the high roof line, 2-story home. Looking for vertical antenna, any recommendations?

I’m following to see what others do (you, in this case). The

Sirio Tornado

has my interest at present though I’m not a homeowner.

The Sirio Gainmaster or 827 or 2016 (yet more models) will take you through a fair range of opinion when researched. Start point if you want.


The

Hy-Gain SPT 500

is a re-issued classic, also to my interest.

But I’m so new the shrink-wrap hasn’t cooled off.
I’m recommending reading reviews and installation details.
(The son will have a house at some point.)

.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Welcome! The Sirio Starduster I have is up on the corner of the garage. Does real well no complaints. The most of my time I spend on my Sirio Vector 4000 on the corner of my house. It has ears that some of my other locals don't. Sometimes I roll the nickel for them. Check it out.

https://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/sirio-new-vector-4000-install.226677/

 

[Rwb]

If broadcast tv signal is low expect problems.i got 12 broadcast signals coming in from a distant city that are weak.every radio i operte messes with them.the other 11 are close by and my radios dont mess with them

 

[Tokin]

Im running a 2995dx with a 300a Palomar amp using a maco 5/8 ground plane @ 20' high and maybe 80' from my over the air antenna, 60' from the house and I have no interference.