[HomeBrew] Neon bulb code practice oscillator

[James E. Kearman]

> Can anyone point me towards a website with a schematic for a code
> practice oscillator using a neon bulb, charged and discharged through
> capacitors, resistors and a key?

Hi, Bill,

This is called a relaxation oscillator. The capacitor is charged through a
resistor until its voltage equals the voltage at which the neon bulb turns
on. When the bulb turns on, it discharges the capacitor, causing the bulb to
go out, and the process starts again. Here are a couple of links.

73,

Jim, KR1S

http://www.oberlin.edu/physics/catalog/demonstrations/em/neonosc.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_light