Radio Frequency Background Noise at the Pierre Auger Buildings

F. SUAREZ, A. RISI, M. VIDELA, A. LUCERO, B. GARCIA, K. ARISAKA, A. TRIPATHI, D. BARNHILL, T. OHNUKI, T. SUOMIJARVI

Malargüe

Otro; Internal technical notes (GAP Notes); 2003

Pierre Auger Observatory

In this paper, we document the RF background noise situation at the four Pierre Auger buildings in Malargüe city [1] to decide where the "PMT Test Facility" [2] should be located. The method we used was a measurement of the noise induced upon an operating PMT. Our objective was to have a tool to know which building had the lowest background noise. A measurement of the actual radio field strength would require a more complex analysis. In May 2003, CNEA, where the test facility was, performed remediation of the uranium tails located at the CNEA field. The entire land area was leveled and paved. Before that happened, we needed to find a new site to locate our test facility. This new site needed to be as quiet as possible in RF radiation.