If you seldom exceed 5w, then the problem is almost certainly a break or breaks in the cable and it IS the cable company's responsibility to fix. The cable company is responsible to keep its system in good repair.

If the cable company refuses to do anything, file a complaint with your public utility commission, and if that goes nowhere, with the FCC.

73,

Lon - N3ZKP
Baltimore, Maryland

<< but as for the bathroom nearby, I was thinking of a tube direct to the drain field (Ewwwww!!!) >>

NOT a good idea in cold climates!!! <g>

I wouldn't mount ANYTHING other than a 1/4 wave 2m antenna to a chimney and then I'd make sure it was at least a couple of feet away from the chimney opening.

If this is an active chimney - there's a real life fire in the fireplace - the heat will quickly destroy the mount and base of just about any antenna you mount to the cap and flue gases will destroy an antenna attached to the side of the chimney.

Despite the manufacturer's ads and other ham's comments, a chimney is a pretty poor place to mount an antenna. Chimneys are not designed for the side loads an antenna will generate and place upon them in a high wind.

Lon

And most 40' poles are not freestanding - they generally support something which, in turn, supports them.

While it is possible, It is not legal to use modified amateur gear on either GMRS or FRS. Both services require radios specifically type accepted for those services.

Modified amateur gear cannot be used on any service but the amateur service and, with a DoD issued MARS license, by MARS operators.

You can use modified GMRS radios on amateur frequencies, but FRS radios cannot be modified to do so.

Also, remember that GMRS requires it's own license. An amateur license (of any class) is not valid for GMRS.

73,

Lon - N3ZKP
Baltimore, Maryland

Thanks for continuing to try. Your efforts are very much appreciated, even if it's not said often enough.

Lon

Well, they did five minutes ago. Now they are back to date of the original post.

Sigh ...

Lon

Mike:

I see that the forums now list threads in the order of the last post date. I hope this is a permenant change.

Thank You!!!

Just a thought ...

If it's a slow news day, I bet one of your local TV stations might to a story on the "burning trees" and the lack of response from the electric company.

Ron:

<< Lon, please understand that I realize there are lots of people in the Southeast that are without power. I did not 'demand' that the power company act immediatly on my problem. However, in the area I live, everyone within several hundred miles has NOT been affected. Hell, we didn't even get any (much needed) rain from any of the hurricanes.>>

Yes, but the crews from the power company in your area are surely down in Sought Florida and not at home. We have crews from Baltimore working in South Florida.

<< I explained to the nice lady who took my call, that I was calling not only to complain about my noise, ... >>

I understand the frustration but it is entirely possible there is no one to cantact you. I agree she shouldn't promist what can't be delivered.

<< The 'bad' pole I found has been completely overgrown by trees. The lines feeding it have burned a path through the trees for about 100 yards. These trees are probably 30' or so ABOVE the conductors.
So, it would be in the power company's best interest to get these trimmed. If not, the first BIG storm is going to take out the whole neighborhood. >>

Agreed.

<< In addition, the power company does NOT do the tree trimming. They contract with Asplundh (spelling?) to do the trimming. There has been a bunch of these trucks in the nearby roads for weeks. It just seems they haven't gotten to my street. >>

Have you asked THEM about helping? May not do any good, but it can't hurt.

<<Not to be insensitive, I pay good $ for my power, and I'll bet the power company wouldn't like it if I deducted $ from my bill for the times it goes out! >>

Have you talked to your neighbors? Has anyone else complained? There is strength in numbers.

Hope it gets dixed soon, and I apologize for coming on so strongly.

73,

Lon - N3ZKP
Baltimore, Maryland

<< I would really appreciate your input, and also whether or not you think the Titan is the best performer within a similar price range. >>

A much better choice is the Butternut HF9V over a radial field of 60+ radials, each 35-50 feet long.

It will run rings around the Gap antennas - any of them.

73,

Lon - N3ZKP
Baltimore, Maryland

As a character in Star Trek, The Undiscovered Country, says, "I feel your pain", however I think you are in for a long wait until the electric company gets around to your problem. The latest estimate is four to six weeks before all Floridians have their power back. Until that time, I doubt the utility is going to do anything at all about resolving a power line interference problem, and rightly so.

The priority is getting customers reconnected to the grid; everything else is way down the list. Given the choice between electricity and line noise or no power at all, I'll take the power and noise any day. Not trying to be unkind, but be thankful you have power at all.

73,

Lon - N3ZKP
Baltimore, Maryland

As has already been said, it's illegal to use modified ham radios on ANY other radio service, except MARS, and that requires a MARS license. Modified ham rigs are NOT legal for CAP.

Most of these mods are done by people who THINK they know what they are doing and wind up trashing a perfectly good radio.

If you have a legitimate need for a radio for public service frequencies, buy a used one designed for that service.

If you get on a public service frequency without proper authorization, that emergency better involve immenent loss of human life, and even then that agency may well file charges against you - and in these cases the offenders are usually found guilty.

Leave the radio alone.

You might want to try another brand.

Second Chance is being sued by several federal agencies including the DoJ and the Secret Service as well as a couple of dozen police departments for knowingly selling vests with defective bullet-resistant material.

They WILL stop a sharp stick, though. <g>

Seriously, no one was shooting at you; grounding questions are the number one question on eHam and 15 minutes of looking around and reading will answer virtually every question you have. No real need to reinvent the wheel, so to speak, when there are wheels laying around for the asking.

With all due respect ...

There are well over a hundred threads on this subject already on eHam. Do a search in this forum and the Elmers forum and you'll have all the answers you need on the subject of shack grounding.

And no, you don't have to insulate the ground wire where it goes through the wall.

73,

Lon - N3ZKP
Baltimore, Maryland