If push comes to shove, put the antenna back where you had it and it worked.
That is, if you cannot find the source of the noise or due to where it is coming from, and you can do nothing about it. At least that way, you will be able to use the antenna and not be out any money. (well, other than the cost of the poles)
 I'm betting that it's something in or near the house. Just as a test, move the leg that is on the roof, off, and away from the roof and see if the noise goes away.
If it does, put it back and do the A/C mains off test. Then, turn the mains back on, then turn off one circuit at a time until the noise goes away.
Good luck, sometimes interference can be a bear to track down. And other times, very easy to find and fix. Hope this one is easy for you.
james
WD5GWY

Where would the challenge be with this "Mother of all SDR's"??
Dealing with challenges such as antennas, location, finances etc.
is part of the FUN of Amateur Radio. No building antennas? Or
repairing old boat anchors? Just grab your iPhone, Tablet PC and
get on the air from a super station? That concept stinks to me!
 Might as well take up collecting string. About as fun and challenging.
Personally, I hope this idea never takes off. I have talked to guys using
remote setups over the internet and I can understand why to some degree.
But, to me it's like cheating. I worked a guy that had a VK call and was using
a remote station in the Virgin Islands a few years ago. All via the internet.
At that particular time, 10 meters propagation stunk. And when I heard his call
I was surprised and just a bit excited to make the contact. UNTIL, he explained
that while he WAS in Australia, his station was in the Virgin Islands and he was
using it remotely over the internet. That was a bit of a let down. I just knew that
conditions on 10 meters had really taken a jump.......WRONG!!
I can see someone having a remote setup somewhere outside of a big city that they
live in, and using the internet to access it. But, this concept of big, contest style
stations setup in prime locations with great antennas, being used remotely over the
internet via subscribers etc. .................that just isn't right. I think I would give up
Amateur Radio before doing that. I like the challenge of making what I have work.
james
WD5GWY

Kind of reminds me of a hunting ranch in Texas a few years ago that tried to set up
REMOTE Deer hunting on the internet! You paid a fee, logged on, and you controlled a remote rifle and could shoot a deer that was in a holding pen! The deer could not get out of the pen or out of range of the rifle. They claimed they did it for disabled hunters.....but
there were a few that were not disabled using it. That idea quickly fizzled. Plus the legality of it was questionable. 
 

So call him and see about getting a look at all the stuff!!
 
If I lived anywhere near there I certainly would!
james
WD5GWY

There will always be people wanting the latest and greatest. That is human nature.
Yes, the features listed for the 6500 and the 6700 are very impressive. And if I had
the money to spend (without regret), I would want one too.
  As for the software, the current situation with Flex as far as SmartSDR is concerned,
is the fact that after a certain amount of time, you will have to pay for upgrades. Not
for updates (aka Bug Fixes) but for upgrades that might add new capabilities to your
existing hardware. Some take issue with that and with good reason. Others, feel that if
they can spend $4300 to $7500 for a radio that an added $200 to get the latest features
is worth it. Those used to the FREE updates and bug fixes from Flex for PowerSDR might
have a harder time with the idea. Personally, I like free. But, sometimes free isn't all it's
cracked up to be.
  And besides all that, I have yet to see a fully operational 6500 or 6700. I have seen the
hardware and a mockup display of the intended software interface (HAMCOM 2012).
But, without even seeing one working either live, or a prerecording like they demo for
the 1500,3000.and 5000, where you can actually interact with it, (tune around and test
filtering etc.) I'll pass before jumping into the deep end on a promise and a bit of interesting hardware, display.
  Flex has promised to post on their website the video that they showed to people
at their luncheon in Dayton. But, that has yet to materialize. It was supposed to contain
more in-depth information and demos than what they have shown at Dayton and other hamfests around the country.
  I'm actually amazed that they have had an "overwhelming response" with preorders
and with no actual, live demo of such expensive hardware. Even Kenwood did not try
to take pre-orders before the 990 comes out. Gutsy thing for Flex to do in a way!!!
Guess we'll see by Christmas!!
james
WD5GWY

   

I don't doubt that at all. Looking at the numbers alone, it is hard to imagine anyone being able to tell the difference between a lot of the radios listed. But, as you said, for
bragging rights, lots of folks do carry on about their current favorite radio being at, or
near, the top, of Sherwood's list.  I know of one in particular that anytime that subject
is brought up, he instantly starts touting his Yaesu  FTDX-5000D as being the best of the best according to Sherwood. I have tried out the FTDX-5000D and it is indeed a very nice radio. And it should be for the premium price it commands. But, is it better than my Jupiter or even a Collins 32S? The numbers on Sherwood's list say it is. But, in real life tests, it may or may not.
  Anyway, I do find all this very interesting.
james
WD5GWY

And all three of Flex's currently available line of transceivers are in that top 12.
Not too many other companies can make that claim. In fact, only TenTec can
lay claim to having three of their radios in the top 12. That's why I like my
new (to me) TenTec Jupiter. The only other radio I have that comes close to performing
as well as it does, is the Flex 1500 qrp rig I have. But, for overall comfortable listening, my Kenwood TS-830s is very good.
james
WD5GWY

Great news!! I'm good on qrz.com and I will happily pay shipping!
 
james
WD5GWY

In mobile HF it is definitely "all about the antenna". That includes good installation.
I have used hamstick antennas, a 102" whip and LDG autotuner and now a Tarheel
100a HP. The difference between the three, especially on the low bands is very noticeable.
I run an ICOM 706 MKIIG and no amp. Get good to great signal reports on 80-10 meters.
A lot of time and work went into installing the antenna on my Dodge Pickup and getting
proper bonding between all the different components. (cab, bed, frame and even the exhaust) I had done some of that work before the screwdriver antenna, while the other
methods worked, once I got serious about the antenna and bonding, I ended up with a
setup that works very well for me. At 100 watts, I don't feel the need for an amp. Although I will say I have been tempted by the ALS-500. But, when someone on 40 meters says I'm
20 over with 100 watts (and at that point the best screwdriver antenna starts loosing efficiency) then adding the extra 400 watts seems pointless. I also have a Kenwood TS-480SAT in my 18 wheeler that I drive at work. (using a Little Tarheel II) Given the shortened size of the Little Tarheel, it might have been better to get the HX version for the little extra punch and the the lack of performance of the smaller antenna compared to the larger (and more difficult to safely install on an 18 wheeler) Tarheel antennas.
That extra 100 watts "might" make a difference. But, if I had a good spot on the truck to install a larger antenna, I'd go with that instead. Mobile Amps are nice, but, they add to the complexity of the installation. Which may or may not be worth the effort.
  There just really is no way as has been mentioned to make a CLEAN amp for less than the ALS-500. And you can find them used for as little as $500 give or take a bit. So, to me that is a good alternative. Mobile amps are just not a big enough market for manufacturers to mass produce them at the price point you are interested in without compromising quality.
james
WD5GWY
     

While the 450 is a nice radio, if I had a choice between the 920 and the 450,
I would go for(keep in this case) the 920. I have used a friend's 920 and really
do like it. It might not be the latest technology out, but, it is still a fine radio.
As for the 450, I have only had the chance to use one one time. It is a decent
radio, but, not in the same class, in my opinion, as the 920.
james
WD5GWY

Boy, this thread sure took a turn from what I originally posted! 
But, all the same, it's still interesting to read what has been posted
here.
   Gene's posts are very interesting. And I agree, that without using
lab equipment to test, most people cannot hear the difference between
different receivers. (well, there are some that even I can hear the difference
but, that's another story!) I will say this, my Flex 1500 hears pretty good.
But, I was floored when I hooked up the TenTec Jupiter for the first time.
I thought I might have left the antenna tuner switched over to the dummy
load! Then, I started tuning around. Signals just popped out of nowhere.
I compared it to the Flex , a Yaesu FT-890AT, and an ICOM 7000. Much quieter
and it "heard" every signal that the other radios did, and with a LOT less
band noise. I did find that I could simulate that with the Flex to some degree
in PowerSDR, by backing off the AGC-T quite a bit. But, weak signals would
die away then. But, the strong ones were very clean and clear.
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!!!
james
WD5GWY

Been an Advanced for lots of years now. But, I do want the Extra.
And for that, gotta study. It's really not that hard. I passed the Extra
written test years ago, and failed the CW test. (could take 25wpm in
my head but, could not write that fast and get answers) Anyway, now
that the code test is not a requirement, I'm going for the Extra again.
If the code test still existed, I would have a tough time. I have Tinnitus
real bad and some CW signals are tough to hear correctly.
  As a friend of mine told me, just go and do it and don't make excuses
anymore!! Get that "extra" band space. Especially if you like DX'ing.(I do)
james
WD5GWY
Advanced since the 1980's.

Probably so, if you were running legal limit. But, at qrp to 100 watt levels,
I seriously doubt it. And most likely not much more than talking on a cell
phone held up to your head. The biggest challenge would be RFI in the apartment
and those of your neighbors. That usually dictates lower power levels and
even judicious selection of operating hours.
 The worst problem an apartment dweller would have would be dealing with
interference from neighbors electronic devices.
james
WD5GWY
 

I agree with what you say Gene. That is why, even though my inner geek
was begging me to hand over the cash    I resisted valiantly. Instead I
bought a gently used TenTec Jupiter. And had money left over!!
 This radio has just shoved several radios right off the bench! One of the best
receivers I have used in quite a while. Very quiet and yet very sensitive.
Oh, and the Noise Reduction works!! My Flex 1500 seems to be getting a bit
nervous!! 
james
WD5GWY

How does anyone here know that Baofeng copied anyone's hardware?
Without having a complete schematic for the radio and the other companies
radios, I would think it would be impossible to know.
And I am pretty sure that companies like ICOM, Kenwood etc. would be
screaming bloody murder about them copying their hardware. No lawsuits
have been filed. And as far as I know, none of those same companies have
pulled production of their products from China. I would think that they would
at least threaten it if their products were being infringed on.
 james
WD5GWY

  I just got home from HAMCOM in Plano, TX. Had a very nice time.
Got to see the new Flex 6000. While the hardware looks impressive,
as does the specs in the handout flyers, the mockup software display they were
using gave no real indication what the radio's output was like.
I was disappointed to say the least. I had hoped that they would have
a working demo, similar to the 5000 demo with PowerSDR. With the PowerSDR
display you could tune around the prerecorded signals and play around with some
of the receive settings. There was no such thing with SmartSDR. They said that
they were still developing the software and it was not ready for display yet.
  So, I did not put a deposit on a new 6500! (was pretty sure I would not do so
anyway) BUT, I did buy a very nice TenTec Jupiter with all the latest firmware updates.
I am shocked at how well the TenTec Jupiter works! Band noise is almost non-existent.
One of the quietest receivers I have ever used. And it has a good Notch Filter too.
Oh, and it does not need a computer to operate.
  And I still like my Flex 1500. But, like all my other radios, no one on the other
end of a qso can tell what radio I am using.
james
WD5GWY