Link Coupler with Neon Lights for Voltage Indication

[aa5wg]

Hi to all:
What voltage rating for neon bulbs should I look for when using the bulbs as voltage meters with open wire feeders and a link antenna coupler?

i.e. The power level is for 1 watt, 5 watts, 100 watts, 500 watts, 1000 wattts and 2000 wattts.

Thank you.
Chuck - AA5WG

[WD5JKO]

Chuck,
 
    The neon bulb when used as you describe, might have the two leads twisted together, and the bulb capacitance to space, or nearby metal completes the circuit when the RF is on. As a Novice, I built a 2w solid state CW rig, and had ~120' wire out the window to a tree on 80m novice band. I used a link coupled antenna tuner, and a neon bulb on the antenna wire as it went out the window. With a mere 2 watts or so, when the impedance is high, the neon bulb lights up.

    For higher power just move the bulb farther away from any metal..

my 2 cents,
Jim
WD5JKO

[Opcom]

IIRC Argon has a lower ionization voltage, but as for its mixture in a common "green neon lamp", I don't know anything. There used to be "neon" light-up CB antenna tips using gas lamps where the leads were twisted together as said above, and 4W would light it there at the tip if the antenna was tuned properly.

[aa5wg]

JIm and OPcom and all:
Thank you for your input.  This is helpful. Is there any more input?
Chuck

[KA0HCP]

NE-2's have often been used for this purpose.  They used to be terribly common in appliances and are still available from the supply houses.

[aa5wg]

KB4QAA and all:
Thank you.  I will look for some NE-2's.

Any other ideas?
Chuck

[WD5JKO]

Any other ideas?

   Well, you can take one of those CFL lamps, and run the wire through the spiral. If the location on the wire is near an electrical voltage maximum, the lamp will light up with only moderate power.

   Sometimes you can take a 2m talkie with rubber duck, set to high power (5W), and place antenna near lamp....viola light!

Jim
WD5JKO

[aa5wg]

Hi Jim:
Thank you for the CFL idea.
Chuck