Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
When this stupid law became known a few years ago, I kept track of my usage for a year and found that my 2000 sq ft home consumed about 30 bulbs (60 w) over those 12 months. Your mileage may vary I assume. I bought 24 bulbs on any trip to Lowe's until I got about a 12 year supply squirreled away. In addition to that, I am using some LED bulbs in a few strategic locations in the house that are far enough away from any radio gear ( I notice some hash at a distance of 3 feet or less). Based on where I am using them, I think my 12 year supply of incandescents will last 15 or more years. On the LED's, some models are longer in length than the standard bulbs...so they may not fit inside every fixture you have. Also they are heavy! So in lightweight lamps (gooseneck style), they can actually pull the thing over due to weight. So don't assume they are always going to be direct replacements.Also, the light takes some getting used to. It's a brighter light and I find that it doesn't spread out/disperse as well as incandescent. They do run much much cooler and I think ultimately this technology will be a good one...once prices come down. I refuse to use CFL's. I have found that the 40w LED equivalent actually creates a similar amount of light to a 60 watt incandescent in some fixtures. FYI Russ J. On Wed, Jun 29, 2011 at 12:49 AM, Patrick Martin mwd...@webtv.net wrote: I probably could sell off what I don't need. As wih many, I also don't like the light the CFL's put out. Patrick Patrick Martin Seaside OR KGED QSL Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com -- * The beginning of wisdom is to recognize the world as it is, not as what we wish it to be. * ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
I remember from many years ago hearing about 130 volt bulbs so I went searching on Google. Found the below information and several places to purchase them. 130 Volt bulbs average 5600 life hours when used on a 120 Volt line. 200 watt bulbs average 5000 life hours. All other bulbs average 750 to 1000 life hours. ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
I remember from many years ago hearing about 130 volt bulbs so I went searching on Google. Found the below information and several places to purchase them. 130 Volt bulbs average 5600 life hours when used on a 120 Volt line. 200 watt bulbs average 5000 life hours. All other bulbs average 750 to 1000 life hours. This type of bulb is used on tower sidelights. It'll be available for many years, even after household use is prohibited. But, I am squirreling away incandescents myself. I just don't like the fluorescent versions. Craig Healy Providence, RI ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
I doubt I use 30 bulbs a year, being the only person in the house, but I fiqure at least a dozen. Over 300+ bulbs should last me 20-30 years anyway. Patrick Patrick Martin Seaside OR KGED QSL Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
This type of bulb is used on tower sidelights. It'll be available for many years, even after household use is prohibited. But, I am squirreling away incandescents myself. I just don't like the fluorescent versions. How does this bulb compared in size to a regular bulb and cost? Patrick Patrick Martin Seaside OR KGED QSL Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
I don't have ANY incandescent lamps in use except for a couple small diameter candlelabra styled lamps. Incandescent light is a very INaccurate poor color rendering light. You can get CFL lamps with colors at 2600 (Reveal) 2700, 3000 3500, 41000, 5000, 5500,6000 and 6500 kelvin. The GE Reveal gives a warm lush light with a slight pink hint. Using Brand X CFL lamps insure early failure. I have an old GE 23 watt ( 100+ equivalent) 6500 daylight bulbon the back of the house. I am breaking rules... no exposed, outdoor it says AND it's been on 24/7 for over 2 years. If you use an outdoor antenna there's no interference. I found the Phillips SL series WERE noisy and gave them away. It's too bad that is the case, they last forever. I have a DESK lamp in my radio room that has 2 F15T8 lamps in it. It SITS ATOP the radio, and you will not hear a WHISPER OUT OF IT. It is not a CFL. The Sylvania Living Spaces CFL is very rich in color, and is very quiet compared to the GE reveal, though the wire for the lamp that has it goes RIGHT by the small 3 foot wire on the old tube type Heathkit. S no blanket condeming please. However in a few years, you will see very few CFLs as a breakthrhough in LED lighting has happened that will bring the cost down to a few dollars. If you want you can use the halogen replacements starting to show up. Just be aware they are a fire hazard at End Of Life failure. They can explode and cause a fire. Powell POP email is powell at backroads DOT net --- On Wed, 6/29/11, Patrick Martin mwd...@webtv.net wrote: , I also don't like the light the CFL's put out. Patrick ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
I bought a CASE of Duro Test 116 watt marker lamps marked as 100 watters for a song. These bulbs are rated at 8000 hours. Clear. If you saw the bulb you'd understand why they last that long, but normally go for a lot of money for ONE lamp. I used to use them where it was a very unsafe ordeal to change them out. Powell ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
Powell, I would want something no more than 75 watts as the heat that the bulb produces above that is too high for the dual sockets in the ceiling. The limit is 75 watts. I have used 60 watt (2) in the past and they work, but the two 75 watters are a bit brighter. 73, Patrick Patrick Martin Seaside OR KGED QSL Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
This type of bulb is used on tower sidelights. It'll be available for many years, even after household use is prohibited. But, I am squirreling away incandescent myself. I just don't like the fluorescent versions. How does this bulb compared in size to a regular bulb and cost? Size is the same, though the glass is clear rather than frosted. Cost wouldn't be that much different. Haven't priced it lately, but I could check next time I speak with a tower company. Craig Healy Providence, RI ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] WWV Solar Report
:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt :Issued: 2011 Jun 29 1805 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # # Geophysical Alert Message # Solar-terrestrial indices for 28 June follow. Solar flux 87 and mid-latitude A-index 5. The mid-latitude K-index at 1800 UTC on 29 June was 1 (7 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Trends -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Date 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 UTC 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 2100 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 SFlx 89 89 89 89 89 89 87 87 87 87 87 87 87 87 A-in 66666655555555 K-in 22311211111121 Current Solar information available at http://www.am-dx.com/wwv.htm ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
They also used to make a button shaped item you could put into the socket to cut the volage down getting to the bulb. I don't know if those as available nowdays or not. Patrick Martin Seaside OR KGED QSL Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
I have changed one lightbulb in the past three years. If you don't need it on, don't turn it on. If you turn it on and off a lot, you are killing it one flick at a time so leave it on for the day. Mike Hawkins On Wed, Jun 29, 2011 at 9:20 AM, Patrick Martin mwd...@webtv.net wrote: I doubt I use 30 bulbs a year, being the only person in the house, but I fiqure at least a dozen. Over 300+ bulbs should last me 20-30 years anyway. Patrick Patrick Martin Seaside OR KGED QSL Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] noise issue update
A lot of my bulbs get little use, so they last for years. A few get replaced more than once a year, but not many. Patrick Patrick Martin Seaside OR KGED QSL Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] How would I tell if my SRF-59 needs alignment?
I saw that someone in the ultralightdx yahoo group posted instructions for aligning the SRF-59 family of radios. Also IIRC he said that virtually ALL of the ones he's ever seen needed some alignment, ranging from minor optimizing to major overhaul (some apparently started out as turkeys). (BTW what would be the definition of a turkey anyway? Is it poor sensitivity, or poor selectivity? I temporarily have the SRF-M85W, which is listed as a turkey in the ultralight rankings file, and while moderately strong stations bleed over several channels like the SRF-M37W, it holds its own on sensitivity once I'm sufficiently far away from the strong signals. (A Coby I have would probably qualify as a turkey, though - I have trouble getting 640 KFI and 1070 KNX, both of which are 99 and 111 miles away, respectively (but KNX does better on more sensitive radios due to a part-saltwater path.)) So I'm wondering if it's possible my SRF-59 could benefit from alignment? I did take it and my PL-606 outside earlier this afternoon to compare weak signal performance... and it seems, at least in my testing, that the SRF-59 is overall slightly better on weak signals than the PL-606. Up in the 1600s or so I thought the PL-606 had the slight edge, but otherwise my SRF-59 seemed better. This was especially noticeable in the middle of the band. For example I could get weak audio on 1190 KGBN and a faint trace of 1150 KTLK on the SRF-59 if I nulled 1130-KSDO and 1170-KCBQ (otherwise the splatter would have killed the weaklings on the '59), but was having a hard time on the PL-606. Also on 1110 KDIS the SRF-59 got quite listenable audio, whereas the PL-606 was really quiet and faint. Also on 790 the SRF-59 did a better job at digging XESU out from under KABC, 730 XEEBC was copyable on the SRF-59 but undetectable on the PL-606, and two TIS's on 530 (WNHV296 from LAX and a CalTrans TIS in San Diego county) were marginal but barely copyable on the SRF-59, and struggled to break threshold on the PL-606. The PL-606 DID take the edge, though, on getting 960 KIXW, whereas the SRF-59 couldn't cope with the 950-XEKAM splatter. Also at Santee trolley shopping center about a week ago (about a mile from 1130 KSDO), the SRF-59 got good armchair audio on 1070 KNX (106mi, 131°), but the PL-606 struggled to dig it out of the muck. Both radios struggled with 1110 KDIS, though. KNX-1070 on SRF-59 @ Santee: http://www.mediafire.com/?dzyx6u8294n59gh KNX-1070 on PL-606 (50/00) @ Santee: http://www.mediafire.com/?ga5vvw0qzqlxdo2 The PL-606 did better at Cameron Corners (138mi, 128°) earlier that day than in Santee, though, at 30/25: http://www.mediafire.com/?p0v2lz6t935mczj#1 (I didn't get much of a chance to check the SRF-59 in Cameron Corners. At the time I thought the PL-606 was trouncing it on sensitivity. I have since figured out that the recorder I've been using turns out to be quite noisy, so I need to go again sometime and compare sensitivity just listening to the radios.) A few recored SRF-59 vs PL-606 comparisons from home within the past couple days: 1510 KSPA: http://www.mediafire.com/?glso8a8yi4wdeo6 1290 KZSB: http://www.mediafire.com/?glso8a8yi4wdeo6 - 500 watts @ 195 miles 1190 KGBN: http://www.mediafire.com/?3wfywx52y3sqf1s (I made no attempt to null 1170-KCBQ here) 1110 KDIS: http://www.mediafire.com/?byzd9r0da1oenvv (This is a station I often listen to - 111mi, 147°. Comparing PL-606 @ Cameron Corners - 135mi, 139°, 15/10, 1k BW: http://www.mediafire.com/?ta0mf9zt3ali7it) 970 KNWZ: http://www.mediafire.com/?nkb4nnp73c77va5 820 XEABCA: http://www.mediafire.com/?09tq4unwh4dt3w3 560 KBLU: http://www.mediafire.com/?db1qiaqxj6o5jch So if I follow those alignment procedures that were referenced on the ultralightdx list a few days ago, is there a way I can improve the strong/weak signal separation, and maybe coax out a bit more weak-signal sensitivity? If I do the alignment, I'm not sure if I have a signal generator I can use. If I don't, which of the following live signals would be suggested for checking alignment? (Signal readings will be quoted from the PL-606 in 1 kHz bandwidth.) Low tracking: 530 WNHV296 (15/01) ; 540 XESURF (55/25) High tracking: 1700 XEPE (52/25) 600 kHz adjust: 600 KOGO (69/25) ; 560 KBLU (17/02) ; 570 KLAC (33/23) ; 620 XESS (42/25) ; 640 KFI (46/25) ; 670 KIRN (23/18) 1400 kHz adjust: 1390 XEKT (43/25) ; 1330 KWKW (32/00) ; 1340 KCLU (32/00) ; 1360 KLSD (70/25) ; 1420 XEXX (46/25) ; 1450 KFSD (31/25) ; 1470 XERCN (59/25) Is that 69/25 600-KOGO signal weak enough for the 600 kHz adjustment, or should I pick a weaker one listed from the options given? Also if I need to pick one, within what approximate range should I try to restrict my deviation? ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of
[IRCA] WWV Solar Report
:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt :Issued: 2011 Jun 30 0005 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # # Geophysical Alert Message # Solar-terrestrial indices for 29 June follow. Solar flux 87 and mid-latitude A-index 3. The mid-latitude K-index at UTC on 30 June was 1 (07 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Trends -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Date 28 28 28 28 28 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 30 UTC 0600 0900 1200 1500 2100 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 SFlx 89 89 89 89 87 87 87 87 87 87 87 87 87 87 A-in 66665555555533 K-in 31121111112111 Current Solar information available at http://www.am-dx.com/wwv.htm ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
