MFJ 1026 Operation - Totally Eliminate Power Line Noise

Produced with CyberLink PowerDirector 14
Two other videos in the works...
One is 1026 Mods/Hacks
The other is dealing with the power company
Visit My Webpage:
www.crankyyankees.com
[e-mail]

[@vonzigle]

I used one of these for 40 meters and it worked beautifully. Was routinely picking up Europe from central California…

[@shrumby7231]

Thanks for sharing this. I've been unsuccessful so far with my 1026, but watching your video has renewed my confidence.

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Practice and patience and a decent sense antenna....works like a charm.

[@bobkozlarekwa2sqq59]

May I ask what you use for your sense antenna?

[@dogbarbill]

Thanks for the video and the explanation, you answered a LOT of questions for me. I traded a tuner for one of these with a friend. I live in an apartment (2nd floor) and needless to say I have a lot of noise to deal with. On initial hook up I couldn't get much in the way of results, but now I understand it's because I'm limited on space for the second antenna. 73 de N5NUK.

[@theradiomechanic9625]

These things will do amazing things with noise. But the trick is in the position of the sense antenna and carefully matching both antenna signal levels, then phasing. But once you get it sorted out it will eliminate noise in excess of 20 over S9 completely. Hang in there. 73 N1CXK

[@Truth-Be-Told-USA]

That is the issue not everyone can have multiple antennas

[@CliffFoxKU4GW]

Great video! Fortunately I have never had power line noise issues thank the Lord! I did have a S9 ticking noise that appeared one time on all bands I finally figured out the source of after 2 days of it driving me crazy. It turned out to be caused by a Black & Decker Fire Storm Rapid Charger for the ni-cad battery for my 18 volt cordless drill. It only does it when the battery is on the charger because it turns off when the battery is removed. Very 73 from KU4GW !

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Stuff like that can drive you crazy. Had a Motorola phone charger that wiped out all TV reception till I found out what it was....

[@RobMacKendrick]

Cheap little aquarium heater in another room. Intermittent. Any time of day or night, but not (of course) very long at a time. Finally figured it out one day when my rig was on loud and I walked into the other room. Just happened to be looking at the aquarium the exact moment the heater cycled on, for like 3 seconds. Element in its glass tube flickers orange; rig grinds loud enough to blank any possible signal. Then both the flicker and the QRM abruptly cease. Few seconds later: same again. Both perfectly synchronised. Finally the element flickers once, for a less than a second. Identical pop. I had been living with this problem literally for years. In my opinion, resolving interference (both TX and RX) is both the hardest and the most serious challenge amateur radio faces. It forces thousands of us out every year. Sadly, not many in our hobby seem to get that.

[@34813ctr]

I have a icom 751A and a lot of noise - what I have done is shut off the pre amp button and it is now set to the attenuator and then I went to the AGC setting and turned the knob to off - I usually work around 3.729 and 3.750 mhz and the noise level is pretty bad sometimes. I cant pick up really weak signals - I think I will look around for a mfj1026 - I have one question for you - I have an inverted V antenna up abt 47ft - how far do I have to be away from the antenna and how high does the mfj one have to be off the ground. Burt

[@mrchuckles9394]

I have a 1026 which I used in my dorm at college, and I do have to say, they work...but you need to fiddle with the knobs for a while to really cancel out the noise. Works as intended, just takes a lot of tuning to kill the noise (and it does so very well however).

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Hi Charles, the learning curve is steep. But once you get the hang of balancing the two antenna levels it is fairly simple. The balance between the input levels of main and sense antennas is the trick.

[@TMS5100]

sense antenna placement is key! also, an SDR helps a lot to visualize the tuning.

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Yes, as shown in the video the sense antenna must be placed to allow a phase difference that can be used to null the noise. Also careful adjustment of levels and phasing control. But the unit works like a charm when nothing else will.

[@tomcruiser2407]

I have exactly the same problems. Thanks a lot for this video.

[@HamRadioLiveShow]

This is a very well done exclamation. Thanks for sharing it. Did you ever post your video regarding working with the power company? I have the same problem in the corner of my property as well. Again, thank you for the informative video.

[@mikepeterson443]

I'm hoping this will help. I've got one on order. My situation is dire; can't hear much of anything in terms of reception because of the noise. I suspect that some of it is because of the high voltage power lines a few hundred feet from my house. But it could also be noise from electronic devices in my house (and my neighbors). I also saw a video where another person used a mini whip antenna (active gain) as the supplemental "noise" antenna. Hope this combination will be sufficient to get me started in this hobby, HF in particular.

[@izzzzzz6]

Hi. Nice video. Did you ever do that video to show the process you went throught o get the power company to help fix that transformer? Thanks. James

[@Gitarzan66]

Hello, I was wondering if you could give me some advice. My house was built in 1947 and there is a power line on poles running down the ally. Its about 60-70 feet from my A99 and AM CB.(I am noobish) Its basic residential power, phone and cable TV lines. Is this close enough to mess with my gear? I think that piece of gear you have there is way out of my means. Is there anything I can do? I'm guessing no. I'am not even sure if they are messing with me but there are days when I pickup no signals at all. There is just static, kinda like your demonstration there. Thanks for any info you could share. Gitz.

[@Gitarzan66]

I almost forgot. There is the power cable and TV wire coming in to a mast on the roof of the house.. My garage where the radio is, is detached and sits behind the house. There is a separate power mast on the garage roof. The base of my antenna is about 8-9 feet above the wire and south about 15ft.

[@theradiomechanic9625]

60 to 70 feet is certainly close enough to cause issues if there is a loose connection on the Line. I have chased some that were 3 miles away and causing me issues.

[@Gitarzan66]

I just put up a new A99, R8 and 8ft grounding rod a week ago. I guess I am screwed.

[@joelauro4687]

excellent video ...thank you.

[@theradiomechanic9625]

HI Joe, your welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@DJCaverna]

i have a high voltage line cross my street and i have a 1026 here ... its a miracle (rsssss) im also change the RX input antena with relay control to close rx imput when im transmit ... because my AMP is make a christmas lights inside my mfj hehehe ...tanks for this videos ... people need know: the problems can stop with this noise canceling ... 73 from Brazil de PY7DJ - NETO

[@theradiomechanic9625]

:-) Christmas lights on a tree are OK, inside the 1026 not so good. It is amazing how well this unit works once that issue is fixed.Well worth the money for the good result.

[@2ubester2]

Will this work with a CB radio? I have a home base station but power lines close by.

[@glennstevenson6242]

yes.

[@xraycam3709]

If you can prove which power line is radiating "trash" noise.....the electric company HAS to come out and fix it. It is illegal for them to "transmit" which is what is happening. I lived in a place in Oklahoma. I was at the end of the power line'....last telephone pole. They built another house up from me and put in another telephone pole with wires to that house. I started getting a loud buzz on my CB's (Base and mobiles) and I was a LOYAL CB'er - so it drove me nuts. Found out what is was when my cb interference got louder in my car when driving near that telephone pole in front of house. I called the electric company and they came right out - They used an extension pole to reach up and move a jumper line a few inches away from the transformer....problem SOLVED!!!!

[@KenWiggerAnotherAncientGamer]

I am glad that you are enjoying your MFJ Noise Canceller. I recently picked up a W6LVP Magnetic Loop a few weeks ago and put it up about 20 ft on a Channel Master rotator and use it as my receive antenna on my ham station while using a 132 ft Carolina Windom antenna for transmit. I really have found a tremendous difference in noise after going to a loop. I also have a Timewave ANC-4 Noise reducing device that works great in combination with either antenna when fighting noise that is not nulled out by the loop because I am using the loop at times to pick between stations in different locations on the ham bands and also BCB stations. I have a 12 ft noise dipole at 3 ft above the ground for the ANC-4 that I placed right under my electrical power line pole. The combination of a loop and the ANC-4 has allowed me to enjoy listening to Shortwave like back in the 50s and 60s before all of the electrical environment issues we face today. 73s WD9GNG

[@theradiomechanic9625]

With the new VLF bands combinations like yours are going to become common. Sounds like a nice setup. Thanks for watching and the interesting comments.

[@revoadan618]

got a very high hiss noise like s9+ in the apartment. Turning the the breaker off and just using battery the noise is still there. BUT making the Coax very short like 3ft to my magnetic loop, the noise is gone. Now plugging back the laptop, some wal wart. and even on battery, high hiss noise is there. I can only hear strong signals and not the weak ones. I noticed am just few meters below power lines. Still big question if mfj 1026 can eliminate my noise problem..

[@theradiomechanic9625]

+revo adan It will depend on several factors. Can the sense antenna pick up the noise and can you get some separation between the two antennas is one issue. Another is to make sure the noise is coming in through the antenna and not coupling in on the feed line. Can you send me an audio clip of the noise?

[@theLuigiFan0007Productions]

revo adan That hiss sounds like SMPS or digital circuitry noise. That's a very broad spectrum noise, and can travel quite far from a failing or badly designed power supply or circuit. Like it could be in your next door neighbor's apartment. A shorter cable will definitely reduce it, and using a 1:1 AC supply filter/isolating transformer will greatly help too. Simply having the mains ground or neutral connected can be enough to intercept it, even if the power is off. Remember, the neutral conductor and grounds in the outlets are always tied to ground (cold water pipe, etc) even if the breaker is off. This can cause noise that is picked up in the otherwise isolated antenna cable to find a path to ground and allow it to be picked up. I'v had problems with the neutral conductor and ground in the past, had to isolate everything using a fully isolated UPS I custom built and ungrounded all circuitry. Installed a custom ground rod outside SOLELY for radio use and made sure it was very good. It could also be WiFi if it sounds like bursts of hissing and clicking. Bluetooth has a similar sound to GSM but much softer, so it's likely not that. A sound clip would be helpful in determining the cause.

[@kennethlapham9054]

Yes power line noise will go away completely make sure your main antenna hears the noise at similar level to sense antenna .

[@theradiomechanic9625]

I am lucky in that I can buy locally from the Ham store. But have had a horror story of my own. Bought an amp (AL 572) and it had a bad tube. ( fortunately I had a spare set ). Sent the tubes to MFJ to be "tested". Waited three months for a "new" set of "tested" tubes and when they arrived one of the tubes had obviously been seriously overheated. Installed the "new tested tubes" and one of them immediately began drawing current with no drive applied and the anode began to blush red. ( this was the tube that appeared overheated when I opened the box). Sent those back and waited an additional month and a half for a second set of tubes. Those were fine. Imagine if I had not had a spare set on hand it would have been 4 1/2 months without the amp. Incidentally the spare set I had was ordered from China, arrived in less than two weeks and were perfect.

[@itshat7582]

The Radio Mechanic b

[@daemonsca]

Makes you wonder how MFj stays in business.

[@theradiomechanic9625]

They now offer a two year no questions asked warrantee on some items. But yes, I often wonder. Sad because I want to buy U.S. made. A little money spent on quality control would likely double their sales. Although they have been doing business like this for so long most folks would not believe they changed. I personally don't mind the challenge. I really miss Heathkit and they are the closest thing.

[@Organplayer1947]

Hm....the aux antenna CAN INDEED affect the received signal IF the aux gain is higher than the main gain. So it is important jeep the main rx gain HIGHER or no less than equal the aux gain. Also: you can definitely virtually reduce the background noise (sounds like bacon frying) if, after equalizing the ant gains, by reducing the aux gain all the way to zero. This will PULL DOWN the output of the unit's comparator so the output is basically the received signal. But the bacon frying noise will be for the most part gone. This is like an attenuator on the input of the rig but may be more pleasant to listen. The unit is basically good for eliminating the power xfmr noise, TV plasma noise, etc. it is NOT intended to eliminate the BAND NOISE which is broad. To eliminate this band noise I believe a DSP would be better.

[@EugenioGuarente]

Thanks for your explanation

[@theradiomechanic9625]

You are welcome Eugenio.

[@13HN870]

@@theradiomechanic9625 The MFJ works with Battery better.

[@stevenhardy2898]

Here is something that may provide info on possible noise sources. Back in 2010 I worked for a major server supplier. At a major hosting site the manufacturer was replaceing over 10,000 small power supplies. I worked onsite with one of the design engineers who was working as tech labor. The problem with the switching power supplies was that they were electrically noisy and would generate noise back into the power feed. (The Chinese provider did NOT use toroid coils.) The combined noise of 10,000 noisy power supplies would set off an alarm ,then shutdown one of the site UPS's. Facebook was NOT happy. lol

[@theradiomechanic9625]

HI Steven, great story. Very familiar with power supply noise. Have several switchers here that I can't use in the shack. Had one Motorola phone charger that used to totally wipe out the TV.

[@user-qm5vs3ik3b]

Mam to urzadzenie.Jest znakomite i goraco polecam.U mnie smazenie jest na 59 + 25dB cala dobe od 3 miesiecy . MFJ daje sobie rade bez problemu Eliminuje smazenie do zera Mam dokladnie takie same zaklocenia jak na filmie.Wlutujcie trafo 1/4 na wyjsciu jak polecaja amerykanie i bedzie super. Polecam ten 1026 .-SP9DTI Po roku użytkowania mogę napisać ,że najlepsze efekty daje zastosowanie dwoch bazooka, ktore mam w odległości ok 20 m.Smażenie mam od sąsiada w pasmie 80m.

[@rogerm8557]

I have S9+10 dB noise centered at 25 MHz, which is wiping out my RX on 12m, and producing S7 noise on 15m and 10m. I believe the source is the power inverters from a neighbor's solar panel array. Will this unit be able to null out this type of noise?

[@theradiomechanic9625]

The short answer is yes. But you need to make sure your sense antenna hears the signal well. This unit is amazing. It does take practice. But once you get the nack it will amaze you. My noise was 20 over S9 and it totally eliminated it. I could hear signals down at the S1 level.

[@stevenhardy2898]

Would your neighbor allow you to install a toroid coil on his invertor?

[@rogerm8557]

Thanks. I already purchased a MFJ-1026, strung a 12m dipole for the noise RX antenna, and I can null the noise down to S3.

[@rogerm8557]

Steven: I don't know. I haven't determined which house it is yet. There are several in the neighborhood with new solar panel arrays. I know the general area, but I plan to DF the house with a handheld radio, to find out which house it is. I'd like to talk to the owner, but only to find out who the installer is. Then I'm going to file an FCC complaint against the solar panel installer. The FCC is collecting complaints on solar panel noise, and I think they plan on regulating the emissions. They are currently unregulated.

[@624radicalham]

@@rogerm8557 How'd that work out for you? Most people don't follow up on anything regarding contacting the FCC and issuing complaints because nothing gets done regardless of how much money you have. They just let it go or move. So what was your outcome a year after your comment?

[@truckerchet13]

I'm told that if you want to use this on the MW BAND ,the 1026 must be modified for lower frequencies.

[@tekdragon]

i am in a very high RFI area in a low income neighborhood. majority is electrical related and the power company only makes small token gestures to fix it. been fighting them for years now. I was thinking about trying a preselector. I know they are different than what you are using, but running a seperate coax outside just for that isnt possible in my situation. would a preselector help at all? or am i better off not even wasting my money? very interesting video. thanks

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Preselector will likely do nothing for you. The hard part is tracking down the source. Once you have it you need to document it. I did a spectral analysis of the noise and noted that a lot of it was in the aircraft band. A copy of my documentation and a print out of the spectrum went to the FCC, FAA, Local Paper, Utility company, ARRL, President of the Utility and the State. That got some attention.

[@tekdragon]

yeah. as ive said, ive been back and forth with utlities over hte years. but in this neighborhood, nothing will ever get done. even with the FCC involved. at this point im just trying to come up with a way to mitigate the noise the best I can. are you saying that there is NOTHING defensively i can do to reduce the noise? alot of the electrical noise could be from neighbors and they arent gonna appreciate me knocking on their door and asking about radio noise

[@markgriffin2285]

Or perhaps a beverage antenna?

[@Truth-Be-Told-USA]

Yes but don't transmit it has weak capacity for a 100 watt transceiver with an ant tuner

[@gfmucci]

Your AGC on your audio recorder made the noise comparison less effective.

[@outlawhead]

They wont touch Plasma TV QRM. and its not always possible to put up a 2nd antenna that RX's the QRM as good as you main Antenna. . if you can there a Good Tool. if not forget it.

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Thankfully my noise issue went away. But it did do the job.

[@jojojeep1]

If it works on regular white noise, static, I buy one tomorrow

[@madmax2069]

You also have to watch out about getting to much signal from the broadcast you're trying to listen to into the sense antenna, because it'll attenuate the broadcast signal along with the noise/interference.

[@furion..]

If you experience that problem of it taking down the signal you are attempting to hear along with the noise simply move your sensing antenna to a different location and then the phasing will change and it won't affect the signal you're wishing to receive.

[@madmax2069]

@@furion.. yes I know this, which is what my comment was mainly about

[@aerialheights5680]

4:38 you had it and blew right by it.

[@rogeronslow1498]

S10... yeh right.

[@VE3IPS]

Great video and the NB on the 751A isnt too useful

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Thanks John, like most NB systems, it is only really useful on sharp impulse noise like that from auto ignitions. Power line noise etc. has far too slow a rise time.

[@MemoriesRR]

You forgot the hammer!

[@theradiomechanic9625]

The big wrench works just fine as a hammer!

[@MauriatOttolink]

The Radio Mechanic. Well it would do. You've got a fully variable, calibrated hammer. What more do you want? Marilyn Monroe to smile at you and pass you the wrench?

[@airproguyrick]

Be nice if that ridiculous obnoxious noise at the beginning of the video was gone.

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Funny how all the negative comments come from those who have never made a video. Lots of time on your hands?

[@rrrandommman]

@@theradiomechanic9625 Funny how an opinion on a 30-second intro of a motorbike revving its engine is valid regardless of how much spare time or video making experience you have. ;)

[@talkintech9363]

Kit Now Available at www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MFJ-1026-relay-mod-kit/164324523227?hash=item2642813cdb:g:idYAAOSwecdfLAB0

[@oluap5116]

@betella_desligarnobreak_openthedoor_/

[@RedNeckSurgeyTech]

Doesn't seem like it did anything. Sounds the same no matter how you turn the knobs. But as long as you think it works...great.

[@theradiomechanic9625]

It not only works, it works extremely well if you take the time to learn how to do it.

[@rebetoskilo]

It seems noise strikes the IC-751A owners HI.. as i am one of them and i have also uploaded a similar video on you tube. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmbJdJiqqrR0m9U where you can hear/see the different of the audio of the stations with and without the noise, which is not shown in your video. Trying to find which antenna is good for aux is the most disincline, but it worths for sure the effort. 73

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Thanks Manos, The 751A is a great rig. I use a 746PRO now, but keep the 751 for backup or travel. Great old radio.

[@tjalessi]

10dB over S9, not S10. LOL

[@theradiomechanic9625]

Thanks Tom, I need to be sure brain is engaged before putting mouth into gear.

[@Gw0wvl]

The Band police are about even on KZbin .. Lol

[@canyoncityoregon]

1 "S UNIT" = 6db - 6db per S unit - what he was showing on his S meter was just UNDER "10 over", in actual expression, S10 is as accurate an expression as is "6db over S9" - more attention to the purpose of the demonstration. and less on your own (futile!) smarta$$ remarks might help - unless your're just a CBer - then explanation is pointless..."LOL!"

[@sleeve8651]

Ah....Man ! This is fraudulent ! Fortunately I have one, and know they work ! And when they do work, it's magical ! But a Sense Antenna in the clear, is critical !

[@alzeNL]

love your content, hate the bloody start, lose the motorbike, its bloody awful.

[@brian-g4dvb384]

There are other video's that show how to operate the 1026 properly .... Move on !!!!