Turn a 'low energy' light bulb into an 80m transmitter!
'Low energy' light bulbs are renowned for causing radio interference but they can be put to good use. A website describes how to turn one into a transmitter for the Amateur Radio 80m band.
Michael Rainey, AA1TJA's website describes how to convert a compact fluorescent lamp -- in this case a TriMax Electronic Fluorescent Lamp -- into a 1.5 Watt QRP CW transmitter for 3.5 MHz. Indeed, Michael goes on to say "a perfectly serviceable transmitter may be constructed!
The only additional components required were the quartz crystal, and four of the five components needed for the output low-pass filter. The resulting transmitter produces up to 1.5 Watts on 80m.
More information is on Michael's Website.
A few words of caution regarding the handling those compact fluorescent lamps or any fluorescent lamps for that matter. The glass section of these lamps contain some pretty toxic chemicals that you will really not want to come in contact with. Also, be very careful to avoid shattering the glass as its very easy to suffer a deep gash from the shards and find yourself in a hospital emergency room as a result. That said, a link to the website that Graham refers to can be at http://mjrainey.googlepages.com/dasderelicht
(Southgate)
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