Keith:

I don't have a dummy load available, but that's a good idea.  I'll see if I
can borrow one from one of the local hams around here.

73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Keith Barrett" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 1:52 PM
Subject: Re: continuing RFI problems in travel trailer


> Hi,
>
> Not sure what you have done so far as I am late on this one.
>
> It sounds like the processor in the air con unit is being got at by
> the rf rather than a power supply issue.
> What happens if you put a dummy load on the rig?  If it is a power
> supply issue then it should still play up.
>
>
> On 28 Jul 2006 at 13:19, T Behler wrote:
>
> > Hi, all.
> >
> > I hate to bug everyone again about this, but I continue to have a
nagging
> > RFI problem in the 18-foot Fleetwood Pioneer travel trailer that my XYL
and
> > I recently purchased.
> >
> > To review, when operating HF, I tend to cut off the air conditioner
whenever
> > keying up on CW.  I don't trip the GFI circuit breaker--I just cut the
unit
> > off, and it eventually re-sets itself and resumes normal operation
within a
> > few minutes.  The problem occurs mainly on 20 meters, although it does
occur
> > on certain frequencies in other bands as well.  I have found the problem
to
> > occur even when reducing my power from 100 watts, say to 50 watts.
> >
> > My HF rig is an Icom 718, and my antenna is a Predator screw-driver-type
> > antenna mounted on the back of the trailer.  I use a device called the
> > Turbo-tuner, to be sure that the antenna is indeed resonant on my
operating
> > frequency.
> >
> > The antenna itself is grounded to the bumper of the trailer, and I have
> > installed two other grounds.  One is a ground from the 718 to the frame
of
> > the trailer, and the other ground is an earth ground that runs from the
rig
> > to a grounding stake outside of the trailer.
> >
> > I am getting more and more stumped with this problem, although I have
two
> > additional thoughts.  Let me run them by you here;  I just don't want to
> > spend more money unnecessarily on this problem:
> >
> > 1.  I run the 718 with an MFJ Mighty Lite switching power supply.  I
think
> > it's the 4125--it has 25 amps surge, and 22 amps continuous.  Could this
> > type of supply be causing the problem via some sort of stray current
flow?
> > Should I try an old transformer-type supply, such as an Astron RS20, to
see
> > if the problem disappears?
> >
> > 2.  I have the rig's power supply plugged into a relatively inexpensive
> > power strip, since I sometimes plug my laptop into it as well.  Is there
a
> > higher-quality power strip that I might want to look at?  Some have
> > suggested a power strip with something called a power isolator in it,
but
> > I'm not quite sure what it is.
> >
> > Please give me your feedback on both of these possible suggested
solutions.
> > Or, if you have any other suggestions, please send them to me.
> >
> > Some have suggested trying to put a capacitor across the leads of the
> > trailer's thermostat unit, but I really am hesitant to do that, at the
risk
> > of somehow voiding the warranty on the temperature control system.
> >
> > Thanks for anything you can suggest.
> >
> > 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ, Big Rapids, MI
> >
> > __________ NOD32 1.1683 (20060728) Information __________
> >
> > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
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> >
> >
>
>
> Keith
>
> - - - -
>
> Keith Barrett
> email <[log in to unmask]>
> Website www.barrettpianos.co.uk
> Amateur radio callsign gw4nby
> Corntown, South Wales
>