Light bulb trick...

[Gummybear]

Anyone have pics of their setup doing the light bulb trick?

How much power do you need to do it?

can you really use it for anything practical?

['Doc]

I hate to be an idiot, so which light bulb trick are you talking about? As in tuning a radio, just lighting up a light bulb, or something else?
I don't have pictures of any of them, but just depending on which 'trick' you mean, and if I can round up the right light bulb and some help, I'll bet I could make a few. But if you mean tuning something with a light bulb, sorry, not with my radios!
- 'Doc

[Twink]

i've heard of taking a flourescent "tube" light bulb, like the 4-5footers, holding it next to your antenna and watching it light up when you key.

[Bombero]

i've heard of taking a flourescent "tube" light bulb, like the 4-5footers, holding it next to your antenna and watching it light up when you key.

I'd sure like to see that here or on youtube.

['Doc]

Good Trick!

Use one of those fluorescent tubes. Hold it with one hand at the bottom and point the top at the tip of the antenna (where the most voltage is). Now slide your other hand up that tube. You'll notice that the bulb goes out between your two hands. When that other hand gets to the tip of the tube make a 'fist', then try to hand that 'hand full' of light to some one. THATS the real trick! Not many people will take it.

- 'Doc

No idea what the minimum power required for that is. I was using about 100 watts.

[Gummybear]

I can always count on 'doc to answer my post, its like the sun rise. everyday it happens.
Anyways I found a pic of it but no video...I lied, i cant find the pic, but i found a video...[youtube][/youtube]

[puller]

here's a good one for ya, how we do things in NJ. this is not me but someone i know
[youtube][/youtube]

[Gummybear]

Puller that video is awesome!!! on the setup's around here the bulb has a 3 foot leash before going out. Great video thanks for posting it.

[jessejamesdallas]

This guy is a member here, and lives in Germany...Can't remember his user name, but he posted these pic's in the "General section" a few months ago...He runs a X-Force 24-Pill....

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[Gummybear]

Good deal there JesseJamesDallas. that is a crazy pic, spelling out x force like that.

X-force should use that for a new ad campaign.

[TheTeZ]

no one answered how much power you need yet,
I cant be doing more than 150 watts, i can light up a small lightbulb (which is apperintally harder) with just that power...

['Doc]

TheTeZ,
I can't give you an exact power figure. I know that 100 watts worked for me, but I can't tell you what size fluorescent bulb it was, sorry (8 foot long, +/- a bit?).
Where you 'take' power from the antenna does make a difference! Typically the tip of an antenna is a high voltage point, so, that's where the bulb should be the brightest. But try all up/down the thing, look for the 'bright' spot, sort of. The difference in voltage is the key. One end close to the voltage source (antenna) and the other end at a low voltage point, ground, or grounded through you. Also why 'squeezing' the light up that tube works, the tube between your hands is 'grounded', sort of, no voltage so no light.
Try it, then tell us how much power is required.
- 'Doc

Okay, so you got me curious. Found a fluorescent bulb (robbed a bench light) and tried it with about 25 watts. Bulb lit up. No idea what the @#$ bulb is, says a "22" something or other. Definitely brighter at the top of the antenna. No idea how close ir has to be, or how far away it -can- be, but don't expect more than a couple of inches away from the antenna.
I could try reducing power but it'd take three or four button pushes and I'm too lazy. You do it!

[nutcracker]

So I had to try this lol... I got my wilson 1000 mag mount, mounted it on a piece of scrap metal and of course swr was through the roof so I made this fast and simple. Keyed around 15w dk, bulb didnt light up unless you touched it to the antenna. Turned it up to 200 and it lit up easily from around 3' away. 100-200w will do it.
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[erikeg13]

That first video Gummybear posted is actually my video lol. I lit up that 12 inch fluorescent tube using about 45 watts out of a cobra 148 gtl through lil zetagi 100 watt amp. Trick really works, pretty fun too, just watch out because i would get shocked if i touched the whip antenna while keying lol.

[madsage]

yeah try not to touch the metal end of the tube either, near where you hold it.
keep your hand on the glass at all times, unless you want an RF burn.

933 RiffRaff
in the stickers

['Doc]

Odd, I haven't felt even a tingle yet. But that's no reason to not be safe about it.
- 'Doc

[TheTeZ]

im pretty sure i have touched the ends... and dont recall getting rf b urn, but its still a good idea i guess