010df - 2d
So much misinformation out there about #hamradio and solar system interference. Some systems create horrible interference and some don't. I decided to add a little bit of real test based first hand knowledge to the world instead of the usual rumors and gossip. I recently got to go on site at a 30+ panel install using silfab panels and enphase iq8 micro inverters to test. Strung up a spark plug gear end fed wire antenna and attached it to my #x6100 radio. Radio and antenna wire less than 50ft from the solar system. Set it to rf gain of 50 and checked every supported band, 6m to 160m. Testing was done mid afternoon on a clear sunny day and the owner confirmed that the system was running at about peak output, which by my reasoning should make any interference as loud as possible. Background noise was S3 or quieter across all bands except 160m which was S4. I consider that confirmation that those specific panels and inverters are not noisy when properly installed and grounded. Confident enough that I'll be getting a similar system installed on my home.
This was a grid tie system so it should be able to run full output regardless of battery existence or charge state. It definitely was feeding back into the grid when I was there. No hybrid inverter for this design. I plunked down my hard earned poverty paper already. Getting batteries as well for my system. So worst case once my system goes live I can really go nuts with testing anything like grid on or not and the battery system.
Every complaint I've seen about solar interference is in HF bands. Simplest cheapest way I know to test would be one of the ATS Chinese shortwave radios. Common home radios don't cover low enough frequencies. I have an ATS decoder pocket but any with the full color screen should do well. Just go through the bands looking at the RSSI value. Also background noise will sound like analog TV static or an FM radio between stations. Interference will sound like a buzz or hum. As a bonus if you get one you can listen into HF ham chatter and start learning about propogation of the bands hands on if ham radio is something you are interested in.
Not for this. That does 150mhz roughly as a lowest frequency and you need to check 50mhz and lower.
