> To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
> From: [hidden email]
> Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2011 12:15:59 -0400
> Subject: Re: [eSens] Can I *partially* shield a smart meter (so it still works)?
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> Good to see some lively discussion, even if we don't all agree on
> everything. ;)
>
> Now, what I can say, at least from having stood for a few minutes with my RF
> meter in hand by where my trailer is parked on this property, is that I was
> not picking up pulses from the smart meter(s) every second or numerous times
> per minute. I think that there are different types of smart meters, and not
> all of them send a signal the same number of times per minute/hour/day.
>
> So, Stewart, are you saying that if I stood to the *side* of a smart meter
> and picked up its transmitting pulse with my RF meter, that would indicate
> that it's omnidirectional?
>
> I'm not talking about wrapping these things in foil (tempting though that
> sounds); I'm talking about maybe sticking a piece of clearshield on the
> front of them, or putting a square of sheet metal on a post some distance
> away from whichever part of the smart meter is pointed toward where my
> trailer is, to bounce back some of the RF.
>
> I haven't run thorough tests on the ones on this property yet; what I've
> said are my preliminary observations.
>
> I have to weigh it like this: In this house, there is virtually no to very
> little cell phone tower noise, even with my most sensitive meter. Yet, once
> I walk/bike/drive into town (these are the suburbs), there are plenty of
> towers, shops have WiFi networks, and you can't walk by ten people without
> seeing at least one yakking on their cellphone. Additionally, every house
> in this town has an active smart meter. That's over forty thousand smart
> meters. The one on this house is closer to my bedroom than the two on this
> rural property would be to my trailer.
>
> Conversely, this rural property has two smart meters 175-200 feet away from
> my trailer. Perhaps they can be partially shielded as I described above
> without impeding their function. My trailer is also, in essence, a shielded
> box. This property does receive the internet wirelessly, but anyone who's
> seen my previous message, and Stewart's reply, will see that it's possible
> that the signal they receive is fairly weak and line-of-sight, high up,
> since the RF meters don't pick it up ambiently out of proximity to the
> outdoor receiving modem.
>
> *Optional reading for those who simply wish to reply to the above follows
> below:*
>
> Both places have their pros and cons. I am still wary of this other
> property, but then again - is my current location a perfect spot, either?
> Not truly. Maybe the countryside will do me good. It's *so* quiet there;
> you wouldn't believe how many birds there are on this gorgeous property.* *No
> traffic noise, no construction.
>
> As for going off grid and electrical dirt, etc.: I run the trailer off
> batteries, but I don't have a solar setup. I need AC power to charge the
> batteries. The charger I have generates some AM radio noise at the source
> (the charger), but that doesn't seem to carry at all into the trailer. It
> drops off fast. Looking inside the charger, it appears to be a simple
> linear transformer, not one of these "intelligent", high-noise switching
> chargers.
>
> I also need to be able to use my computer in the trailer (it's a modified,
> lower EMF, fanless, solid state computer with a modified monitor). I would
> run ethernet cable from the property owners office space. I need 'net
> access to do the bit of online work I can do. So, I need AC power from an
> outdoor outlet near the office space.
>
> Let me tell you, the power quality in these people's buildings is *crap*.
> They're nice folks, and generous about sharing their land, and wealthy, and
> though open minded, have bought into the high-tech nonsense. They've got
> big TVs, they've got CFLs, WiFi routers and DECT phones. The man who owns
> the place runs a company; he looks dazed all the time. The AM radio goes
> ape-sh*t when I bring it into his office, I've never even heard the noises
> it makes in there before; it's quite something.
>
> Yet, I need some of that electricity to charge the batteries and use my
> computer. So, I got a decent 20A rated powerline filter, made by Schaffner.
> I have its chassis mounted on a flat metal ground plane, and the this
> ground plane is attached with really heavy gauge copper wire to a copper
> ground rod in wet soil.
>
> It performs quite well! The difference in AM noise on the line between the
> unfiltered AC extension cord, and after the grounded filter is considerable.
> Is it perfect? No. I don't have hundreds or thousands of dollars for a
> military grade powerline filter, but if I build an off grid system, I'll
> have to get one.
>
> However, comparing the filtered line there to the normal AC line in our
> house, I'd say that there's probably not any more noise than here.
> Neither's perfect, but again, I need to weigh the pros and cons. If I can
> convince these people to "clean up" their act, I will be pleased.
>
> All I can say is that I'll have to try the place out. If I feel better, I
> stay. If not, I go. Thanks all for your replies, and if you've got any
> more sound advice, please keep it coming.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Take care,
>
> R.
>
>
>
> On Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 11:37 AM, Marc Martin <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > **
> >
> >
> > > They do NOT operate omni-directionally.
> >
> > What is your source for this information, Lizzie? With
> > a simple Google search, I can find Smart Meter manufacturer
> > websites that describe them as omni-directional. And that
> > is the only thing would make any sense from a technical
> > point of view.
> >
> > > Smart meters are 100 times MORE POWERFUL then cell phones.
> >
> > Well, according to one person, at least. Could be less,
> > could be more... also, I think that 100x number assumes
> > that you spend all of your life within 3 feet of a smart
> > meter.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
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