[Elecraft] CFL lamp noise

[Bob K6UJ]

Thanks for that info Jim.  I will be installing some FL's in my garage.
I will check for RFI and get some magnetic ballasts if need be.
Thats good to know.

73,
Bob
K6UJ





On Nov 18, 2012, at 12:35 PM, Jim Wiley wrote:

> 
> Are you talking about a CFL, or a conventional fluorescent lamp? Many 
> newer fluorescent lamps come with an electronic ballast.  These are 
> sometimes a problem, in that the "ballast" operates like a switching 
> power supply, and if not designed or built properly, can emit copious 
> amounts of noise.   A standard "old fashioned" magnetic ballast does not 
> have this problem.  If your lamp uses the newer electronic ballast, 
> replacing the ballast with a magnetic type will fix the problem.
> 
> 
> BTW, I have used many many CFLs and never had even the slightest bit of 
> RFI from any current production units.  There was  a small amount of 
> noise from some of the very early units of 20 years ago.  The last one 
> of those I had was retired  circa 1995.  Most of the CFLs I have now are 
> from Costco, and are FEIT brand, made in China.  Nary a peep from 
> them.   We have about 35 CFLs in service now, and the 80-meter noise 
> level is about S2 on a bad day,  closer to S1 normally.  (I live in a 
> rural subdivision with underground power). 160 meter noise is about S3 
> to S4,  and S0 for 40 meters and higher.
> 
> 
> - Jim KL7CC
> 
> 
> In my shack, where a fluorescent lamp is located only four feet from the 
> rig, I recently switched from a 40 meter coax-fed dipole to a random 
> wire with counterpoise directly into the K3, no coax. Lots of noise. 
> Turn the switch off, noise goes away. Not a problem with coax-fed 
> dipole. --Andrew, NV1B
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html