[TowerTalk] Green Power Lightbulb QRN

[Gene Smar]

Roger:

     What brand name green bulbs do you use?  I've read on other reflectors 
that some names are better (quieter) than others.


73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roger (K8RI)" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net>
To: <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 5:15 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Green Power Lightbulb QRN


>
>
>
>> If you've been considering replacement of your current traditional light
>> bulbs in the house with the new whiz bang "Green Power" curly jobs before
>> your next favorite contest, DON'T DO IT (at least without some
>> testing-testing-testing).
>
> We've replaced nearly every light in the house with them that wasn't
> fluorescent to begin. End table, ceiling, bedroom, living room, ...there 
> are
> very few incandescents left.
>
> The basement has something like 18, two tube (4') fixtures on 4 circuits. 
> No
> incandescents down there.
> My computer/radio room has a ceiling light/fan with a 120 watt equivelant,
> the kitchen has 5 of the Green replacements, and the garage has 6 of the 
> 150
> watt equivelants. I operate 160 through 440 and have not noticed any noise
> from them yet. As for the shop it has 11 two tube (8') 75 Watts per tube
> fixtures. I currently operate 40 through 440 out there with no electrical
> noise. OTOH when it's cold the mechanical noise from them is miserable.
> However when working out there the shop is heated in the winter and air
> conditioned in the summer.
>
> BTW in both the house and shop have two computers within a foot or two of
> the rigs and the network cables actually run a short ways with the coax.
> Most of the way the gigabit CAT5e network cables are seperated from the
> station cables.
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>>
>>
>>
>> The 40 watt bulb in the lamp near my rig bit the dust a few minutes ago
>> while I was listening on 160m.  Interestingly, the band noise tonight was
>> minimal here.
>>
>>
>>
>> I went to the cupboard and decided to finally open the packaged for a new
>> "curly-widget" GE soft white 40 watt bulb that claims to only use the
>> energy
>> of a 10 watter.  But wait.there's more. the package says it's a "5 Year
>> Bulb
>> - Long Life * 8000 Hours (lightning bolt) Energy Saver."  With info like
>> that, it's gotta be good, right?
>>
>>
>>
>> IMHO, somebody QLF'd in production and forgot to add "QRN MAKER" to the
>> package!!!
>>
>>
>>
>> The RX was on in the background, and when I screwed in the new bulb and
>> turned it on, WHAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. a BIG QRN level appeared that
>> sounded
>> kinda like power line noise.
>>
>>
>>
>> I turned off the lamp and the noise disappeared.  Hmmm.  Coincidence?
>> Nope.
>> 5 more on/off tests and each time BIG QRN.  I checked other bands.  It 
>> was
>> worse on 60m, and 15m was a disaster.  Interestingly, several times when 
>> I
>> left the new bulb on for a while, the QRN disappeared.  But not always.
>> Hmmm.
>>
>>
>>
>> Maybe this is a single "Lemon-bulb" incident, maybe not.  The package 
>> says
>> "Made In China" and it has GE's name on it, so it's gotta be a good,
>> right?
>>
>>
>>
>> Has anyone else experienced similar QRN problems with the new "Green
>> Power"
>> curly bulbs?
>>
>>
>>
>> FYI & 73.
>>
>>
>>
>> Rick, K6VVA
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
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>
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