More tests on the lightbulb antenna and impact of the bulb on propagation 08/25/2018 I continue to receive emails asking about what is causing the whole lightbulb antenna thing to work. Some hams commenting on the antenna are adamant that I am contacting other stations at distance due to the radials, coax and coils and not because of the lightbulb. As I too was quite surprised to be making distant contacts on such a small antenna, more research was in order. In addition to conducting the radiation tests on various parts of the antenna with my field strength meter, which can
I continue to receive emails asking about what is causing the whole lightbulb antenna thing to work. Some hams commenting on the antenna are adamant that I am contacting other stations at distance due to the radials, coax and coils and not because of the lightbulb. As I too was quite surprised to be making distant contacts on such a small antenna, more research was in order. In addition to conducting the radiation tests on various parts of the antenna with my field strength meter, which can
Light Bulb Propagation Performance 08/23/2018 It has been several days now since I started transmitting with my lightbulb antenna. This morning I made a map of where I have been making FT8 contacts. I find it interesting that the antenna seems to be performing a bit better on 30M and 40M when I thought 20M would be the band that would really shine. The map does not show contacts made to Cuba and Germany. I think the map will evolve over time because at this point, there is a bias toward more local stations as that is where I have been
It has been several days now since I started transmitting with my lightbulb antenna. This morning I made a map of where I have been making FT8 contacts. I find it interesting that the antenna seems to be performing a bit better on 30M and 40M when I thought 20M would be the band that would really shine. The map does not show contacts made to Cuba and Germany. I think the map will evolve over time because at this point, there is a bias toward more local stations as that is where I have been
First Transatlantic and Bulb to Bulb Contact on FT8. 08/21/2018 August 19- 20, 2018 were historical days here at Upward Signal Research atop the Eastern Continental Divide as KC4SIT and N1DAY continue their research into lightbulb antennas. On August 19, we completed our first Bulb to Bulb QSO using FT8. The distance between stations was a mere 8 miles, but that is OK for now as there are not too many bulb operators out there. First Bulb to Bulb FT-8 QSO KC4SIT was using the original prototype bulb antenna #1 and N1DAY was using the second
August 19- 20, 2018 were historical days here at Upward Signal Research atop the Eastern Continental Divide as KC4SIT and N1DAY continue their research into lightbulb antennas. On August 19, we completed our first Bulb to Bulb QSO using FT8. The distance between stations was a mere 8 miles, but that is OK for now as there are not too many bulb operators out there. First Bulb to Bulb FT-8 QSO KC4SIT was using the original prototype bulb antenna #1 and N1DAY was using the second
Dummy Load or Antenna? 08/19/2018 Now this is a good question. Historically, the lightbulb has been well documented in its use as a dummy load. However, every article I read on the lightbulb dummy load makes mention of contacting someone several to a hundred or so miles away while transmitting into it. For me, that strongly suggests that at least some of the RF that is going into a lightbulb doesn't get converted to heat or light as some RF has to be emitted from the lightbulb in order for the qso to occur. Right? In my
Now this is a good question. Historically, the lightbulb has been well documented in its use as a dummy load. However, every article I read on the lightbulb dummy load makes mention of contacting someone several to a hundred or so miles away while transmitting into it. For me, that strongly suggests that at least some of the RF that is going into a lightbulb doesn't get converted to heat or light as some RF has to be emitted from the lightbulb in order for the qso to occur. Right? In my
New and Improved Lightbulb Antenna 08/18/2018 Work continues at a brisk pace here at N1DAY to build a better lightbulb antenna. As some readers know, I am now committed to having the LightBulb QSO Party. You can read about it by clicking on this URL: https://hamsignal.com/blog/the-lightbulb-qso-party and get some FAQs on the original light bulb experiments by clicking on this URL: https://hamsignal.com/blog/light-bulb-antenna-basics-and-faq I advise everyone to consider the new design detailed below as it is a much better performer
Work continues at a brisk pace here at N1DAY to build a better lightbulb antenna. As some readers know, I am now committed to having the LightBulb QSO Party. You can read about it by clicking on this URL: https://hamsignal.com/blog/the-lightbulb-qso-party and get some FAQs on the original light bulb experiments by clicking on this URL: https://hamsignal.com/blog/light-bulb-antenna-basics-and-faq I advise everyone to consider the new design detailed below as it is a much better performer
Light Bulb Antenna Basics and FAQ 08/14/2018 KC4SIT - First day of light bulb experiments The purpose of this entry is to give amateur radio operators a few basics to kick start ideas in building a light bulb antenna. Older hams who were active back in the 60's will tell stories of how light bulbs were once used as dummy loads while fine tuning their transmitters. It is not uncommon to hear hams talk about other hams coming back to them while transmitting into light bulb-based dummy loads. So KC4SIT and I started thinking about the
KC4SIT - First day of light bulb experiments The purpose of this entry is to give amateur radio operators a few basics to kick start ideas in building a light bulb antenna. Older hams who were active back in the 60's will tell stories of how light bulbs were once used as dummy loads while fine tuning their transmitters. It is not uncommon to hear hams talk about other hams coming back to them while transmitting into light bulb-based dummy loads. So KC4SIT and I started thinking about the
The Lightbulb QSO Party 08/10/2018 Note to contestants - the 50' coax rule has been eliminated - make your coax run as long as you like. Do You have what it takes to be TOP BULB? This is it: the ultimate challenge in ham radio.... Announcing the 2019 Lightbulb QSO contest, March 9th 20:00 UTC through March 10th 20:00 UTC. Get a promotional sheet HERE to tell other hams about this event We've all heard the stories.....Joe Elmer was so good at antenna matching that he made a 100 mile 20M QSO on an ordinary 100 watt
Note to contestants - the 50' coax rule has been eliminated - make your coax run as long as you like. Do You have what it takes to be TOP BULB? This is it: the ultimate challenge in ham radio.... Announcing the 2019 Lightbulb QSO contest, March 9th 20:00 UTC through March 10th 20:00 UTC. Get a promotional sheet HERE to tell other hams about this event We've all heard the stories.....Joe Elmer was so good at antenna matching that he made a 100 mile 20M QSO on an ordinary 100 watt
Updates on 630M activities 08/02/2018 It has been several months since my last post, but that does not mean I have not been busy in ham radio. In fact, the hobby has become all consuming in anticipation of the return of fall low band propagation. Both Ernie-KC4SIT and I have taken advantage of the summer months to do some significant improvements on our stations. My goal for the fall is simple....to overcome my geographic disability, handicap, gimpness, tardation, or whatever you want to call it and have my 630M station perform
It has been several months since my last post, but that does not mean I have not been busy in ham radio. In fact, the hobby has become all consuming in anticipation of the return of fall low band propagation. Both Ernie-KC4SIT and I have taken advantage of the summer months to do some significant improvements on our stations. My goal for the fall is simple....to overcome my geographic disability, handicap, gimpness, tardation, or whatever you want to call it and have my 630M station perform
Resolution to the dispute with HRO 05/31/2018 When I sat down yesterday to read my email, I noticed that I had a receipt for a new order from Ham Radio Outlet. This was concerning given the present state of my dispute with HRO. It is also the reason why I do not take Ambien as I'd probably end up ordering all sorts of radio gear in my sleep (another story, another time). Anyhow, upon opening the email, to my surprise, I noticed that HRO had given me a full refund on the difference in price of my purchase of an ICOM 7610 3 weeks prior to
When I sat down yesterday to read my email, I noticed that I had a receipt for a new order from Ham Radio Outlet. This was concerning given the present state of my dispute with HRO. It is also the reason why I do not take Ambien as I'd probably end up ordering all sorts of radio gear in my sleep (another story, another time). Anyhow, upon opening the email, to my surprise, I noticed that HRO had given me a full refund on the difference in price of my purchase of an ICOM 7610 3 weeks prior to