Anyone know about a Vancouver Wireless network? I was in traffic with my IPAQ and picked up several access points just labeled Vancouver. Is the city up on a wireless network like the one in PDX? Had signal from before Mill Plain to mid-span of the I-5 bridge!

Yes they do:

http://www.dailywireless.org/2004/08/14/washington-state-unwires-parks-history/

Andrew

Could this be why my Grundig Yacht Boy 400, and my Realistic DX360 are pretty much useless over large portions of the shortwave bands, because of the incerdibly loud buzzing noise from about 3000-12000 kHz? Also on the AM band from about 600-1000kHz, because of the wireless networking installed here??? (PUD hasn't installed a BPL service recently, have they? If they have this could also possibly be why.......)

I live in an apartment overlooking 205, and my home is about 1/2 mile away from Evergreen High School, up on the hill, if this helps. (Near the former Airport.)

Hey moto....not to go off topic but I gotta know....is your cell phone by chance a RED MOTO RAZR? LOL

Would be fitting ya know dude!

No, it isn't. I don't even have a cell phone.....never really felt the need for one, unless you count my 1982 40-channel Realistic (with the little gap between channels 22 and 23 ;o) as one....... *laughing*

If it's my handle you refer to, it's actually a contraction of "MOTOcross" (my favourite sport) and "MuZAK" (my favourite "high-tech" company...and I LOVE MUSIC), in case you were wondering!

In fact, for an *incredibly* short while last June (only a couple of weeks!) I had a sort-of "experimental" handle on here, "motocross_and_muzak". ('Twas sort of a "test broadcast" if you will.......) My current handle is a direct rip-off of that one.

Before i forget, my bike's a RED MOTO MONGOOSE........... *rimshot*

Well then the Red Moto Razr would be a great accessory for that bad ass ride. Put it right next to the Red IPOD and you are set!

Motozak, wireless internet networks operate in the 2.4GHz frequency band. Expressed as KHz as the frequencies you have above, that would be 2400000 KHz.

For reference, Hz=1 cycle per second (cps), KHz=1000 cps, MHz=1,000,000 cps and GHz=1,000,000,000cps.

One thing (among many) that can trash the lower frequencies that you mentioned is fluorescent lights. The quick start and compact fluorescent types are better than the old kind that used a starter.

The low frequencies are susceptible to all kinds of noise. Your TV can generate broadband noise (meaning broad spectrum, not fast internet!). So can motors, especially those with brushes, some medical equipment, power lines with an arcing insulator and even a PC.

Anything with an oscillator can also generate noise.

The only way to really find the source is with a spectrum analyzer and a directional antenna.

Hope this helps.

Huh.....could be something at the neighbour's, then. I tried switching all my devices off (TV, fans, computer, fluorescent lights in the kitchen.....) and the buzzing is still there.......

But then, if all that's the case why is it also doing it at home, about ten miles away, even under the same test conditions? (I tried the same here about 1/2 hour ago, with the same results. And right now I am typing this in a room in a house, surrounded by a big yard, with neighbour's houses about 30-50 feet away!)

Do you know if the Clark County PUD has/n't started carrying a broadband over powerlines network? I hear those systems can really wreak havoc with radio, especially shortwave.

I have called them asking this before, with no results other than "Our job is to provide reliable and affordable power solutions [A term I try to stay away from using!!] at minimum burden to our customers. Sir, if you are having problems with your radio equipment you should consult your user manuals."

So basically what the gal was saying is she really doesn't care so long as we keep providing her salary. Is all pretty much what it boils down to! Didn't even come close to answering my question (whether or not PUD had a BPL network), but did give me a good idea of the type of people to whom our power bill dollars support!!

They do not come out to the rural area I live in to read the meter anymore. Have some new system to read them remote. I assume they are sending data over the electric circuit with meter readings. LAZY GOOD FOR NOTHINGS! My dog loved chasing them out the driveway!

Oh, and Darktemper--

Hoo yeah, badass ride indeed! Aside from my FMF dirt bike handlebar (with Ascerbis handguards!) I have "tweaked" the gearing a bit, converting a 21-speed 7 stack on the rear wheel to a 27-speed 9-stack. If you should ever try to ride her BRING A HELMET 'cos she can go *incredibly* fast..............

Also I don't use an I-Pod (probably never will if I have anything to say 'bout dat!) but would it count if I paint my CD player red?

At least it plays MPEG3s, and a few format the I-Pod won't (like audio CDs, for one......!! ;o)

No wonder my dog could never catch you! LOL

Sorry, I must have been typing my post up whilst you were submitting yours, about the rural area power metre,

but in the 'burbs I know PUD used to use some sort of infrared system for reading the metre on the side of the house, kind of like the remote controls you probably have on your TV set.

But it really wouldn't surprise me if they are, in fact, sending the data out over the lines by now.....haven't seen a PUD truck driving around our area(s) in a while, so I wonder if that must be the case?

Before I leave tonight I should take my radio outside by the metre and see if it doesn't get worse! (I know that if I take it out in the front yard it seems to go away, because our power is routed through our back yard to the transformer boxes two houses down. I just bet that, or something like it, is probably the case........)

Also my dog can't seem to catch me either!! And she's a big pooch..........

Motozak, I'm out in Orchards on the east side of Vancouver and they came around a while back (maybe 2 years or so) and changed out our electric meter. The one they installed has a transponder of some sort in it. The PUD folks drive around in a van and query the electric meter and it sends its data to the van.

I don't think it is transmitting all the time, just when it is queried.

I've noticed some wide band noise on my service monitor here at home. It's in the lower frequencies <15MHz at levels varying from about -90dBm to as high -75dBm.

I'll be out and around town tomorrow and if I can find the 12v cord for it, I'll put it in the truck while I'm out and see where I can see the noise.

I'll post what I find.