GB> RFI: TORCHIERE TORTURE!

[Bry Carling]

Crikey, this sounds like it would be more effort than it is worth!

But thanks for the suggestions, Kevin.  I will just unplug the durn 
thing!

> I came across an article on those wretched touch lamps.  My wife loves 
> the darned things.  They not only respond to a little bit of RF, but the 
> RF noise they generate is really something.
> 
> These things employ an oscillator connected to the metal parts as 
> antenna.  When you touch the "antenna" you detune and so this is how the 
> touch is detected.
> 
> The solution involves (a) determining the fundamental frequency, and (b) 
> fitting a low pass filter between the electronics and the "antenna" wire.
> 
> Determining the fundamental can be done by using a GP receiver that will 
> go from about 100 KHz upwards. Or you can measure the frequency interval 
> between two successive harmonics.  Identify that the hash is coming from 
> the lamp by pulling it out from the mains (the oscillator runs even 
> while the lamp is "off".)
> 
> Now open up the lamp and ensure that a low pass filter will physically 
> fit inside.
> 
> The modification, if done well, will render the lamp much less sensitive 
> to RF from your rig and will remove a lot of hash from the bands.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> 73 and Merry Christmas
> 
> Kevin
> VK3DAP / ZL2DAP
> 
> Bry Carling wrote:
> > Wow Chris you are SO helpful!
> > 
> > You could sell it as a morse training device too!
> > 
> >> I think you've got quite an interesting potential product there, Bry, old
> >> boy.  My suggestion is to patent the system, including a torchiere element,
> >> in the package.  Seems like it would drive someone nuts (goofy, etc.) who
> >> would be exposed to the seemingly mysterious behavior of the torchiere but
> >> not be in the know.  So there would be a great market among the prankster or
> >> provocateur buyers.  Then there would be the experimenter group...hams, etc.
> >>
> >> To paraphrase a hackneyed expression, "If you can't beat it, make it a
> >> product and sell it!
> >> The above idea is offered totally free.
> >> Merry Christmas, and GL. 
> >> Chris
> >> W7JPG
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: owner-glowbugs at piobaire.mines.uidaho.edu
> >> [mailto:owner-glowbugs at piobaire.mines.uidaho.edu] On Behalf Of Bry Carling
> >> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 6:26 PM
> >> To: BOATANCHORS at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV; glowbugs at piobaire.mines.uidaho.edu;
> >> FLBOATANCHORS at yahoogroups.com; MOPAGROUP at yahoogroups.com
> >> Subject: GB> RFI: TORCHIERE TORTURE!
> >>
> >> I have an RFI issue in the house here... I was wondering if 
> >> anyone else has seen this...
> >>
> >> I have a tall torchiere in another part of the house, and it 
> >> is the type that you can turn on by TOUCHING the vertical 
> >> bar. If you touch it repeatedly the britghtness changes too.
> >>
> >> The only problem is that my rig turns it on too! In fact, with 
> >> every DIT oir DAH of CW it either changes the brightness
> >> or turns it on/off.
> >>
> >> I am getting this on 40m, 30m and 20m CW. The antenna is an 
> >> end fed random wire with an L-network tuner, upstairs on 
> >> the second floor. My "ground" is a wire to the screw on the 
> >> wall plate. Not great I know.
> >>
> >> I haven't tried other bands yet!
> >>
> >> Any suggestions?
> >>
> >> Thanks & 73 - Bry, AF4K
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
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> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
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> > 
> 

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