Electric fence interference

[Hiker1]

I have an electric fence going to keep the deer out of the garden. When I am listening to my HF rig it will case a popping sound. Just wanted to know if there was something that can be done to prevent this other than turning off the electric fence.

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[Jackalope]

   Electric fence interference is usually easy to remedy.  The radio noise is commonly caused by arcing as the fence charger sends out its pulse.  I had a case, and it was caused by the fence arcing to nearby vegetation.  So make sure the bottom wires of your fence are free from vegetation.  I use a weedwhacker and keep the ground bare along the fence line.  A weed killer could also be used.

    Bad wire splices and poor connecting gate hooks can also be a problem.  Clean the wires if any rust or corrosion is present.  I had another incident which was caused by a spider web when wet.  It would happen after a rain or heavy dew.  I cleaned off the spider web and all was good.

    I've found that checking the fence line at night works well for me.  It's quieter at night, so I can often hear the arc pop.  Also the arc can be readiy observed, as you'll see the arcing flash occur.  A portable AM radio can be used for troubleshooting purposes, as the ARC is readiiy heard on AM sets.

    It just takes a little time and patience to find the cause.

[pkveazey]

Jackalope has nailed it. Arcing is 99% of the time the problem. All of the electric fences that I've seen have a transformer and sometimes when they get some age on them, they can internally arc and that also will cause a "Pop". An arc in a transformer can usually be heard by your ear if its quiet outside you are standing real close to the transformer.

[Hiker1]

Thank you I will check it tonight. I figured you guys would have had this problem and could help out.

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[JohnyMac]

My neighbors fence was causing this too.

I just turn off his fence when I plan to get on the radio. Lazy in NE PA. 

[FeedingFreedom]

They do make ultrasonic listening devices, looks like a parabolic mic (because that's what it actually is  ). They're pretty spendy, but allow you to track down bad transformers and arcing. I got to use one from the power company when we were tracking down an interference issue we had. If a fence is pulsing, that usually means it's discharging somewhere. I have a small one right under my HF antenna around my beehives, I know when the weeds need to be trimmed because I can hear it on the radio! One of my least favorite jobs as a teenager was trimming the fenceline all the way around the pasture. I wanted to use the new shiny weedwhacker but Pop made me use the ancient David Bradley 2-wheeler with a bar mower. Put it in the creek a few times when the cutter hooked a sapling or root.

[Jackalope]

Hiker1, any update on the electric fence interference issue?  Just curious...

[Hiker1]

I found 2 places arcing on fence post  but still getting the interference. I will just turn off when monitoring the radio. The box is my backup and could be damaged. Only need it for a month or so. Once the corn and peas quit producing I will not need anymore.

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