mlr
New Member
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Post by mlr on Dec 30, 2018 18:53:22 GMT
Apparently I am blocked at part15.us.
So I am moving my technical discussion here, if that is ok.
I have a radio systems Phase II Coupler.
In a few days, I should have a 30 Watt LPB transmitter to go with it.
I would love to get some information on how to physically connect the system; I have only ever used free radiate.
Thanks!
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Post by End80 on Dec 30, 2018 19:33:42 GMT
You sure you're actually blocked? I had a hell of a time logging in the other day.. tried numerous times trying to log in, and even changed my password three times, still couldn't get in. Eventually succeeded, but I was beginning to think I just wasn't wanted.
There's something that's become screwy about that sites mechanical structure, not only has it become rather slow to browse, but there seems to be a lot of things out of whack with it's underlying software.. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not knocking the site itself, I only mean they need to get thing corrected.
Anyway, all that aside.. Glad to see you here. Boomer seems to be well versed on carrier current and should be able to offer some good advice. |
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Post by Boomer on Dec 30, 2018 21:09:36 GMT
Part15 had hacking problems earlier, so maybe there are safeguards in place that are sometimes tripping up the browser.
I've been doing my carrier current station now for about 4.5 years, trying lots of different things, so I might have something to bring to the table. I think there are a few others here who do carrier current, I know current admin Dr. Bob had been doing it.
I was able to put together a station for a few hundred dollars, after tuning and upgrading the well-used LPB transmitter, and getting it on to my frequency.
For now I can't write or look up as much, getting ready for New Years, which includes radio.
Happy holidays to everyone!
Boomer
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Post by Admin on Dec 31, 2018 1:11:32 GMT
I have a Radio Systems Phase II 20 watt transmitter and LPB TCU-30 coupler for my carrier current operation. Seems we have mating mixed equipment.
My setup uses neutral injection. The hot side connects to the AC neutral and the cold side to an isolated ground rod. I put the ground rod about 25 feet away from the service ground to give some impedance between them. I ran a separate wire to the breaker panel to make the neutral connection. The neutral and service ground are bonded at the panel.
I was running about 5 watts and could hear the station a couple miles out. Once I got a quarter mile from the station, the signal would drop down and stay fairly constant from there on out.
Of course, where there were rear lot line power lines the signal would disappear as I was more than 100 feet from the lines. Other places with underground wiring were hit or miss. Might disappear or be stronger than usual.
I recently shut it down. Seemed to be interfering with our DSL service. So, I'll fire it back up soon and see what happens.
Many complain about AC hum on their carrier current signal. I notice that when very close, like in my house. But once I'm away from the house the hum is gone.
I also tried the conventional connection between the AC hot and neutral. The range was very limited since the signal will not pass through the pole transformer. Also, I blew out a wall wart switching power supply. The CC connection was simply plugged into a wall outlet which was probably on the same circuit. Seems it didn't like all that RF...
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mlr
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by mlr on Dec 31, 2018 2:22:38 GMT
Awesome - As soon as the transmitter arrives, ill look into adding the additional wiring. I may put the carrier current system in the back office of a business; which will ensure I don't screw up my house system  |
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Post by thelegacy on Jan 2, 2019 21:14:58 GMT
What would be cool since the ASPISYS ASMAX2 is 50 ohm and mine has a BNC connector connected to an adaptor for a female PL259 would be to come up with an amp/coupler for neutral injection this way I could try that in my town and see what type of signal. If done right I probably could transmit FULL Quieting (or close) for about 2 miles. What listeners I'd get then.
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Post by Boomer on Jan 24, 2019 17:52:21 GMT
How's it going MLR, hope your system is getting together.
The coupler is something that's important in carrier current, it's really like an antenna tuner, but built with special properties to tune into a power line, and deliver the maximum signal that it can into it.
In a way the coupler is akin to the loading coil in an short antenna transmitter, in that it presents a 50 load on the transmitter side, and something different on the other side.
Usually a power line has a large inductance, which the coupler tries to correct with a series capacitance, which is what the capacitance bank in the coupler is for.
The other characteristic of a power line is it usually has a low impedance, often much less than 50 ohms, like my coupler has been set as low as 1 ohm, and currently it's using a 12 ohm setting I believe, and that's what your inductance selector is for, matching the power line's impedance.
When you get the right combination of impedance and series capacitance, the SWR should have a low reading, as close to 1:1 as you can get it. I recommend turning the transmitter power down to a few watts until you have it tuned correctly.
There's lots more you can learn and experiment with, such as separate isolated grounds, neutral loading, all things that can come into play depending on your situation.
Every carrier current install tunes differently from any other and needs a unique setup, even changing feed outlets, or if you move to another house, expect settings to be all different.
Boomer
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Post by Boomer on Jan 24, 2019 17:59:40 GMT
Somewhere in another thread I mentioned building my first carrier current coupler, and I ran across a picture of it, built on a wood base with terminals and a ferrite core from some old stereo. It did work, at the higher end of the band, probably not as well as it could have, since the output inductance (white wire link) isn't adjustable, but it did get out locally and the transmitter was happy, so I thought it was a success. For the series capacitor I soldered test capacitors on the input. The idea for the design probably came from Ernie Wilson's Carrier Current Techniques book. Since my edition of that book is from 1990, and I built this in the early to mid-90s. I just used parts that I had then.  |
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Post by station8 on Jan 26, 2023 14:19:54 GMT
Hi Guys: How is everyone?, It's been awhile been busy and sick, Now to the subject at hand. What does everyone think about carrier current?. Is it fesible to operate?. Does anyone know where to get equipment, I haven't seen to many places selling the units at all like they used to. What is the average cost for a unit?. What would you pay for a unit?. How many of you Would run carrier current if you could?.
Do you like carrier current?.
Would you run 120vac ?.
Would you run 240vac?.
Any other information that was not talked about?.
Have fun station 8
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Post by station8 on Feb 2, 2023 22:20:28 GMT
Hi Everyone:
Mr. Bob and others members on carrier current noise issue has anyone applied more filter caps to fight
off hum noise On there carrier current and did It work for you?.
Has anyone run into problems with the new electrical power meter being noisy and how did you correct the issues as well?.
Has anyone thought to go on teamspeak and have a class on this subject?.
One day I will build my own carrier current unit when my plate goes down with projects.
Have fun
Station 8
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Post by Admin on Feb 3, 2023 21:36:59 GMT
I have issues with hum but only when near the transmitter antenna and sometimes can null out the hum by moving the receiver around.
I hear no hum at all as I drive away from my house.
As such, I've never bothered to try changing filter caps or power supplies as the problem seems to be external to the transmitter itself.
Currently, I am not running Carrier Current as it was causing problems with my DSL modem. However, we've switched to a Cable modem so perhaps I will reactivate the CC later in the spring and see what happens.
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Post by station8 on Feb 3, 2023 23:33:06 GMT
Hi:
That's good to hear it seems like you don't have problems like I have here,
I get a lot of interference with cell towers causing all kinds a problems on and off.
I figure the carrier current interference ranges from 1hz to 600hz depending your area and issues.
Have you run into a possible back feed at all?.
I know they make power line filters that gets rid of 50&60 Hz hum, but heard some are questionable.
Can't wait to hear how the carrier current does for you.
Station 8
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