VK Logger Ham Radio Forum Archive

Becoming a problen, RFI source from hydroponic growing lamps, with the cheap sourcing of hydropinic hardware, Im guessing very soon will have a new RFI issue to worry about, high currents being switched at high freq recipe for RFI across HF bands.

http://www.arrl.org/grow-light-rfi

I've also seen this article... I had to chuckle.

I've seen all sorts of hash generated by these new LED lights, particularly the cheaper chinese 240V LED lights that comply with who knows what EMC standards, and I guess these hydroponic growing lamp things are no different... The US 110V units are likely switching higher currents from the supply.
Wonder how those 12V LED lights go on a DC supply rather than 12V AC for noise? I think the main issue there is actually the noisy switch mode supplies that "replace" the iron transformers that don't radiate noise.

I've seen all maner of systems used to protect large plantations that also caused QRM too. Even rumours of a couple of smart Amateurs who had a sophisticated network of linked repeaters covering a valley about 30km long, used for early warning comms. That was in one area of ZL3 (North Canterbury).

At least some good news re EMI from cheap Chinese crappy products: I was at a local TV antenna/security/electronics supplier recently and one of the fellas there told me ACMA had been through a lot of their stock, so we can only hope they continue to pursue this with some vigour.

I wonder if these pot growers realise just how easy it will be to track down their crops using a half decent noise measuring device?

So much for hidden basement or ceiling crops!

Cheers

Peter VK3QI

I guess knocking on your neighbor's door could get a whole lot more dangerous... complain about HF "hash" and wind up keeping the fish company attached to a concrete block...

Cheers


Richard
VK2AAH

Maybe will be resurgeance with LF transformer based high voltage constant current LED power supply RFI free
could be a nice area to speicialise in

I was assisting a friend localising seriously bad persistent HF hash in a rural area around his property, and warned him that we would not enter properties because one possible source of the hash that I could hear and the hours of day when the emission was heard was grow lamps, and the crops may be contraband and vigourously protected against intruders.

We did a number of sorties, identifying two 'zones of interest' in the area, one quite close.

Unrelated, he had a visit from the local farrier (who lived down the road a little) to shoe his horses (as they do) and he showed a genuine interest in the antennas. My friend elaborated on the noise problem and opined that it could be grow lamps and if that was the case it might in time lead authorities to a crop.

The noise stopped that day, hasn't been heard in the years since!

Owen

Was the farrier named Luke? Just a hunch... not trying to suggest anything...

I just found a source of hf noise that has caused me problems for the last few days...................... a 12volt battery charger in the backyard garage

LED lighting in public areas can play havoc with portable operating. Made worse if the LEDs are confined in a metal railing which (I suspect) operates as an antenna.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FpGza_efZo

Who'd have thought....hydroponic growing lamps can be a source of hash. Tell me something I don't know!

Chas
VK3PY

VK2AAH wrote:Was the farrier named Luke? Just a hunch... not trying to suggest anything...

Yeah I was beginning to suspect him when there was a bit of hash on his cw sigs