Since the bulbs strike at something around 70 volts, I don't think it takes very much. Actual numbers of watts probably depends on actual numbers of antenna impedance at the attach point.

Wayne
WB4OGM

On Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 10:33:58 PM MST, Hubert Miller <[email protected]> wrote:


Strange question to the group, but here goes:

Do you have experience with how many watts are needed of HF power to a high Z antenna point, for a small neon bulb to light?

Say an NE-52 ? I think those are rated 1/50 watt. They will light with static built up from getting up from a chair, if your shoes

are well insulated material. I think as an RF indicator, one wire goes to the antenna point, the other just hangs unconnected.

Altho i did see one schematic that showed besides the connection to the high Z antenna point, a wire between the two neon bulb leads. ( It occurred to me an easy answer would be, “enough voltage to give you a white burn mark on your hand”, but i’m looking

for some actual number, with wide % latitude. )

thanks-

Hue Miller

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