May 2007
Saving
By Bob Wexelbaum, W2ILP
Whether you are worried about climate change due to man made use of energy or not, it is a good thing to conserve electrical energy because it will save you money. As a ham, it is always a good thing to use only the level of RF power that is needed for communication. I respect the QRPers who are able to work the world with single digit power levels, and frown on the guys who use a killowat and a half of RF output, so that they can out shout others in HF pile-ups.
Along these lines I recognize that all of us must
conserve powser of all kinds. We can no longer
make unnecessary car trips unless we want to spend unnecessarily on gas that
today costs over $3.00 per gallon. I have had tripple
pane windows installed on my house to help reduce fuel bills for both heating
and air conditioning. I try to make the greenhouse effect work for me in
my house even if I don’t entirely believe in the algore-rythem
methods of global greenhouse control, that might only serve to move what
remains of American smoke stack heavy industries to
Dave Ledo,AB2EF sent me an e-mail suggesting that I read about the compact fllorescent lamps (CFLs).
I always welcome suggestions from club members because they give me ideas about what I can write about that is of interest to them and may be of interest to other club members. You can see the web site that Dave recommended by going to: http://my.inil.com/~torpor-skog/lightbulb.htm
The guy who made the web story about the switching high voltage power supply in the base of a CFL got me interested in researching the whole story of CFLs, which I obtained from various sources.
I
have bought and am using many CFLs myself and I have
found that they have not only gotten cheaper as time progressed but they have
gotten better and are now entirely free of creating any noise or radio interfearence to ham radio users. The first ones I
bought did cause lots of noise and they had longer delays before they would
light up after being switched on. Some eventually failed to light entiredly after only a short life. The capability for
long life, quick turn on, and good solid lighting without any RFI is now
available in most CFI and I have bought some for only $1.00 each at dollar
stores and not much more, if you buy packs of four at Home Depot. Most
are made in
Now let us look at the specifications:
INCANDESCANT CFL LIGHT OUTPUT
40 Watts 7-10 Watts 780 Lumens
60 Watts 13-18 Watts 890 Lumens
75 Watts 18-22 Watts 12210 Lumens
100 Watts 22–25 Watts 1750 Lumens
150 Watts 30-38 Watts 2780 Lumens
In the base of each CFL there is a low current , high voltage (as much as 600 Volts) switching power supply, that switches at high frequencies. I don’t know how high, but the new ones are said to switch at much higher frequencies than the older models. The higher the frequency the easier it is to filter the power input line, with small components and to eliminate any switching noise from getting out on the power line. International Rectifier Corp. has designed chips that can do the job. They are what are called dual inline package types or DIPS, and can just about fit inside the bases of CFLs, but there are even smaller components used in some of the Chinese CFLs that do the same job. The high voltage is used only to start the lamps. It causes a small amount of mercury within the lamps to vaporize and once that happens the only job is to current limit the regular 120 volt line voltage. This is technically called an “electronic ballast” function. The long tube and circular flourescant light that have been around for many years use what is called an “iron ballast”. This ballast also is required to provide a high voltage to start the lamps. It is mainly a tapped inductor (a coil of wire wound around an iron core) that can act as an auto-transformer and momentarily step up the line voltage to a higher voltage, after which its inductive reactance can serve to current limit the voltage going to the lamps. Replacable cartridge starting switches (starters) are usually part of the circuiot. The electronic ballast system used in CFLs is based on capacitive rather than inductive reactance and voltage storage. Solid state automatic switching is part of the minitureized circuit that is all inside of the bases of the CFL lamps..
Because the new CFLs work at higher frequencies there is less of a possiblity of flickering or strobing that might be visually anoying.
You can see from the specs that you can save a lot of watts using CFLs instead of incandescant lamps. The lives of the new CFLs are now rated at 15,000 hours, as opposed to the typical incandescant lamps, which are expected to last for only 1,000 hours. You can save as much as 75% on lighting costs by changiung all of your lamps to CFLs, and in the long run the cost of the CFLs themnselves, if they last as long as specified, will be less than incandescant light bulbs..
Latimer (who worked for
My present usage of CFLs is only for replacing all of the 40 and 60 watts lamps that I formerly used. I now only have incandescant lamps in my dining room and my den, because I use lamp dimmers in those rooms.. I read that CFLs that are designed to work with lamp dimmers are now available. They are more expensive than regular CFLs and I have not tried any yet. I have a CFL in a desk lamp on my operating desk, where I have my IC-706 ham transceiver as well as my PC computer system.
There is absolutely no interference to any ham band received on the IC-706 when I turn on the CFL, nor is there any interference to my computer. Aside from the CFL and unrelated to it, I have found that there is interfgerence to my computer that prevents me from using digital modes on 10 Meters…but not on any other HF ham band. This could probably be fixed by the use of ferrite beads on my interconnecting cables.
I started a thread on QRZ, asking all hams to tell if they had experieced RFI or noise from new CFLs. All who replied said that they have absolutely no RFI or noise from the NEW CFIs. But some had experienced interferencence from older CFLs. I also ask members of the GARC their own experience with CFLs. I will print them in this newsletter if I receive any comments related to CFL usage..
Now let us talk about solid-state dimmers. I know about them because I have built some myself. Unlike switching power suplies used in CFLs, there is no high frequency switching involved within dimmers. A typical dimmer circuit depends on a triac, which is really like two SCRs (silicon control rectrifiers) back to back.. A potentiometer control is used in a very low current circuit that triggers the triac with varying phase delay. The triac mearly cuts off a part of the 60 Hertz power line sine wave on both the positive sides and the negative sides. It thus reduces the power going to the lamps that it is intended to dim by eliminating a portion of the energy that they get from the AC line.. When dimmers do that they are actually distorting the 60 Hz wave form and thus causing harmonics of 60 Hz to be generated. A small R-C or L-C filter circuit within the dimmer can usually reduce the interference caused by the distortion of the power line waveform, but some users have noted interference when dimmers are used. Some have even claimed to hear high pitched audio coming from dimmers! I have never experienced any myself. Dimmer circuits should be installed inside of metal electrical boxes, that may have formely held on-off toggle switches. The metal electrical boxes are grounded and can help to prevent the dimmer circuits themselves from radiating, thus aiding in eliminiating a possible source of RFI. I hope that this clears up a lot of misinformation about dimmers. Because of the way they work, they actiually reduce the electrical energy going to the lamp and consume very little energy themselves. They can save you money when they dim lamps that need not be very bright.
The government of
Now lets talk about mercury. The amount of Mercury (Hg) to be found in a typical CFL is only enough to cover the tip of a ball point pen, which is less than 4 mg. This however is cause for alarm because there will now be millions of CFLs around and when they go bad they will have to be disposed of in a proper way. Mercury is a poison and it is cumulative because humans can not easily elkimninate it when it is digested. However mercury is not so danbgerous when not ingested. At one time red mercuirichrome was used as a disinfectant on open wounds. A compound containing mercury was used on the eyes of new born infants to prevent any inferction by possible VD. School children were alowed to play with mercury, enjoying its curious liquid properties. Spilled mercury could be swept up without considering proper diosposal. Now mercury has joined lead, asbestos and most chemicals used to make batteries on the dangerous list. I guess ithere is danger if you consider how much of those materials may be found in the homes of averasge Americans. Mercury vapor is not new to radio engineers. Automobile radios used to use type OZ4 rectifiers, which were cold cathode tubes, containing mercury. Broadcasting radio transmitters needeed rectifiers that could handle high voltages at high curents. The most popular types were 866s and their smaller brothers, 816s. All contained mercury, which when vaporized, made the tubes glow blue and presented a low forward voltage drop, and thus less power to disipate inside them, than vacuum tube rectifiers without mercury,
(to be continued next month)
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
BY
KE2LJ
There has not been much good news to report on lately. Lots of news, but not good news. Well, this month we have made some progress. Facilities notified me last week that they had run some antenna cable from the roof of plant 14 down, and into, our Club trailer. I was pleasantly surprised to hear this, believe me. But, my second thought were, “jeepers, I hope they didn’t use RG58U or some Radio Shack garbage..” So, I went over there on the way home, and saw they had used RG214. This is the same double-shielded cable that we use on the duplexors, so it’s pretty good stuff. I don’t like the losses for 100’ of it on 2 meters, though. I would have preferred something newer like LMR600. This stuff has losses as low as hardline, but is real flexible coax. Nevertheless, we have what we have, and it will certainly be put to use as soon as possible. I also was curious on two other points; how did they route the cable, and why the trailer? Well, the cable was zip-tied to an external electrical conduit that runs up the side of the building. This is precisely what I wanted to do 3 or 4 years ago, but was told I couldn’t, because it would look too ugly. Now I see that ugly is in the eye of the beholder, as usual. Secondly, I am also told that the trailer won’t be going away now. It was supposed to be moved from there to make way for a new loading dock area. I am now hearing that they’ll probably keep the loading dock in plant 1, but maybe relocate it close by to where it is now. Facilities also asked me to indicate to them which antenna to erect on top of the building. I just have to make sure our StationMaster is there, and I will get them to put it up for us. That will get us on the air again. I also wonder to myself, very quietly, if I could possibly sneak a second run of cable right next to the 214 without them noticing it. Then we could use 2 antennas on the repeater, and that would help considerably with our receiver de-sense problems. This all has to get looked at very carefully..
The news at the home QTH is as follows. We have had the house on the market for about 3 weeks now. Our real estate agent lady has held 2 open houses, both on nice sunny, Saturdays. The first one drew over a dozen families, and the second one drew about 5. We got one offer so far. If we don’t get any other bids soon, we are going to accept that one offer, and try to go to contract as soon as possible. If it all goes as it should, we’ll probably be packing up mid-June, and be out within a few weeks. I should be able to make one more Field Day happen, but we’ll cross that bridge later.
Our last meeting was a little brief. We had planned to show a video at the meeting room in Farmingdale. But, the person who had the key to the video cabinet had already left for the day, and there wasn’t a spare to be found. Thus, no video. Karen (KC2OPX) called the park office a day later, and the lady there was very apologetic, and promised that this would never happen again. Meanwhile, Andy (W2RNC), spoke to some other folks, and was able to get a copy of the key for himself. So, we should be able to have unfettered access to the video system from now on. We’ll play that video next month, when we meet on 5/16. I hope to see you all here. –pat KE2LJ
GRUMMAN AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING -4/18/07
Secretary, Karen KC2OPX
The meeting was called to order by Pat at 5:40 PM.
TREASURERS REPORT – Ed, WB2EAV REPEATER REPORT – Gordon, KB2UB
(not Present)
Most
of
Finances continue to be in good shape We need a new site. 146.745 is still on somplex.
VE REPORT – Bob, W2ILP NET REPORT- Zack,B WB2PUE
2 applicant passed Tech exam. 5 VEs were Thursday night net was good, with some operating
present: AB2EF, AB2NT, KB2QFT, KC2HNN, simplex on 146.745. Sunday 40 Meter net was
and W2ILP. good, but conditions locally poor.
OLD BUSINESS:
Started to clean out trailer.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion of future meeting place fpr board meetings..
PROGRAM
A
video which Pat brought which was about a
The meeting was adjoined at 6:30 PM.
t
GARC NETS:
40 Meters: 7.289 MHz at 7:30 AM EST Sundays.
2 Meters (via repeaters): 146.745 MHz (-.600)at 8:30 PM EST Thursdays.
145.330 MHz (- .600) at 9:00 PM EST Thursdays.
[Tone for both repeaters is 136.5 Hz] (ARES/RACES) Mondays
MEETINGS
General Meetings of the GARC are
held on the third Wednesday of each month, starting at 5:30 PM. The
meetings will be held at the
GARC WEB SITE
The web site of the GARC can be found at http://www.qsl.net/wa2lqo/ Webmaster is Pat Masterson KE2LJ. Pictures of GARC activities, archives of newsletters, roster of members, and other information about the GARC may be found there.
INTERNET LINK OF THE MONTH FOR INTERNERDS
Most of us won’t be going to the Dayton Hamvention this year. The next best thing is to see the convention with streaming video from a web site. I’ll type no further myself and print out a message from Tom WA5KUB who sends us this reminder:
Don’t forget to join in the fun of the 2007 Dayton Hamvention this year by live streaming video and audio and chat room. Many have joined us last year. We will be broadcasting the 3 days of the Hamvention live at
http://wa5kub.com May 18th – May 20th. We will also be broadcasting our 500 mile drive live to the Hamvention. Watch us drive and chat with us and others around the world. We depart at Wednesday May 16th at approx 1300 GMT. The web site is up and running right now (right now it has recorded video of a previous Hamvention) and we will be switching to live soon.
Please help us load test the system by going to http://wa5kub.com and watching and chatting with us and others.
Thanks and 73,
Tom WA5KUB
Pat Masterson expects to visit the Hamvention.. Perhaps the WA5KUB camera will scan to him. I’ll be on the lookout myself.
PUZZLE
Here is another cryptogram:
KB XID UQ BFHQ BRIB DEH WIP’B CEED IOO BRQ JQEJOQ IOO BRQ BKXQ,
UHB DEH WIP CEEO QPEHAR EC BRQX BE FHOQ I OIFAQ WEHPBFD.
--VKOO YHFIPB---
Solution to April 2007
Cryptogram: COMPUTERS WILL NEVER TAKE THE PLACE OF BOOKS. YOU CAN’T STAND
ON A FLOPPY DISK TO REACH A HIGH SHELF. –SAM
GARC VE SESSIONS
We are continuing to proctor exams for all classes of ham licenses on the second Tuesday of each month starting at 5:00 PM. The present exams are: Element 2: Technician Element 3: General Element 4: Amateur Extra Class.
The fee for 2007 is $14 for all exams taken at one sitting.
Applicants for upgrades should bring a photocopy of their license and any CSCE and their FRN number.
New, first time applicants should be aware that their Social Security number will be required on their application form. All applicants should bring driver’s license or other picture ID.
Until further notice, VE exams will be at Room: Briarcliffe in
All applicants should contact W2ILP to preregister so as to confirm location. If no applicants apply, exam sessions may be cancelled.
For any information e-mail: - [email protected] or phone: - (631) 499-2214
Study material information is available at the http://www.arrl.org or the http://www.w5yi.org web site. All VECs use the same Q & A pools. Since the beginning of the VE program the GARC has provided opportunities to take ham exams monthly, during all twelve months of every year.
Bob Wexelbaum, W2ILP and the Grumman VE team. |
20 Years Ago- “CQ DE WA2LQO” – May 1987 Vol. 58 N0.5 CIRC 406
The may meeting was held in Plant 14A. Steve Mendleshon, WA2DHF, ARRL Hudson Division Director was the speaker.. Last month Hank Foglino spoke
about underwater detection techniques and above ground pistol instruction. The
GARC VE exam sessions were advertised. The VE exams were given at the
Several small articles were repeated from ‘World Radio” of March 1987. One of
them was about Amateur Radio testing in
I hope that you like to read about our club’s past activities. If there are no complaints I will continue to write about what I find 20 year old newsletters here.
73,
w2ilp, your editor.