[TowerTalk] Green Power Lightbulb QRN

Dan Kovatch w8car at buckeye-express.com
Wed Oct 31 12:05:19 EST 2007


I have replaced several lights with the neon 'Greenie Lights' and so far 
have noticed no ill effects. We have several 3 ways also and most of the 
others are in single fixtures, including two in the shack and on our desk by 
this computer.

 I think it's a bad batch or maybe your house is wired funny (tongue in 
cheek but worth checking anywho)

73 Dan W8CAR
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Hilding" <b38 at hilding.com>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Cc: <towertalk at contesting.com>; <topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 1:54 AM
Subject: [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).
>
>
>
> 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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