I've built a device to detect interference in the AM band. With this it is possible to measure the distance from a 110kv power line. Is this same noise responsible for failure of a 2.4ghz digital transmission? How can I measure it? Does it correlate with the xKhz noise? I've experimented by raising a receiving antenna to be very close to power lines. No degradation was noticeable. I have heard both sides, that it predictably and repeatably effects reception, and that it doesn't at all above 2ghz. I am using a SDR to measure the noise change in various bands 20m from 110kv power lines. So far I see nothing above 20Mhz. Maybe a faulty transformer is responsible for all documented cases of R/C failure above 2ghz? In many cases this has been proven. Would an nrf24l01 be sensitive enough to measure any potential problems? I have no way to determine this since I don't have a problem 10m from the 110kv lines...
10m from 110kV? Yikes. Where should we send flowers?
There have been a number of documented cases of faulty transformers and faulty connections causing EMI. The power company is not normally interested in investigating unless it is causing them a problem, however, and 99.99% of the public doesn't have the knowledge necessary to track down such interference.
There's nothing scary about climbing a tower, except for the height. In this case my toy helicopter was near the lines without any apparent interference. There is little evidence that working 10m from 110kv lines causes cancer day after day. How do you recognize a transformer from far away on the ground? It seems that there are none nearby. I imagine there are many faults effecting R/C control. Can there be any involving wires only?
110KV transformers you will only find in zone sub stations .
You wont find them anywhere along the power line.
To measure interferance at 2.4 Ghz , you need a receiver that is designed for operation at this frequency.
This means an antenna designed for 2.4 Ghz and a receiver with a RF amplifier also designed for 2.4 Ghz.
Id be very surprised if you measure anything at 2.4 Ghz from a power line as theres no obvious mechanism to create it.
I agree! I have found no noise from 30-1000Mhz. Yet R/C forums have 100's of users who insist they lost their plane because of interference. Few disagree on those forums. I saw a legal case that was decided on our side. Just back from a range test. I am using a cheap 2.4Ghz Chinese radio walking along the path under the lines. We walked for miles staying apart. It works reliably at 0.38 miles. I have moved both the transmitter and receiver when I could so they are still line of sight. There were no glitches. At this distance trees or metal in the way prevent reception. There is no way to get this distance here, on the ground, without a valley between hilltops. Kansas or an ocean would work. It is interesting that I have been unable to get the same range in the past, with a different radio, without power lines. Then line of sight range was limited even when space was available to move further apart. I will have to try this radio when I find a clearing large enough. It appears that the power lines INCREASE distance and reliability. Is that possible? The only glitches were from thick trees or metal towers in the way. What's the maximum range you have gotten with any R/C equipment new or old? Is there a better way to measure interference?
I have gotten 2 miles with a 1W transmitter and 16 element Yagi from a mountaintop...
A cell phone transmitting conversation does not interfere with a modern 2.4ghz radio.
Not even inches from the receiver, while the transmitter is 0.38 miles away.
I have heard pilots say it interferes NEXT TO THE TRANSMITTER while flying!
What kind of interferance is causing the RC planes to be lost?
The 2.4 Ghz band is in most countries part of the ISM band, which stands for Industrial, Scientific and Medical band.
There are many devices capable of causing wide scale interferance in this band , but power lines is not likley to be one of them.
The likely cause of interference is low frequency overloading of circuitry at
50 or 60Hz. 110,000V AC is an enormous potential for an unscreened AC signal.
How can I measure this field?
Ignoring the type of receiver used for a moment.