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Re: First coil.
Tesla List wrote:
>
> >From paul-at-geeky1.ebtech-dot-netMon Nov 4 21:37:17 1996
> Date: Mon, 4 Nov 1996 18:24:09 -0500 (EST)
> From: Paul Anderson <paul-at-geeky1.ebtech-dot-net>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: First coil.
>
> I've been lurking(sorta) for awhile now, and I've decided to build my
> first coil. How big of a coil do you guys recommend for a beginner? I'm
> gonna figure on a where to put the RF ground tomorrow, and I plan to use
> the plans in rqdocs.zip for the coil. Any thoughts? TTYL!
>
> ---
> Paul Anderson
Paul:
I was sitting in the same spot you are exactly one year ago. I think
you may receive a number of very good, but very different responses to
this question. Each of us will probably answer based on a bias towards
what we already have done, know and/or materials that can be obtained in
a cost effective manner. First, how much can you spend and how much
room is available? The most practical appraoch would be to start with a
neon system, but realize you will probably smoke it after a rather short
life. All components for the neon systems can be structured for a very
cost effective result and with an impressive package when done. You
will learn quite a bit that can be directly applied to larger systems,
if you still have an interest as time goes by (you will!). The neon
system can be run in a smaller area if designed for the available floor
space too. In general, the higher power systems will cost
significantly more unless you are a real first class scrounger! The
power requirements, component cost and required floor space make the
pole pig based systems best for those who have a strong feeling that
they will be making sparks for some time.
Chip posted a nice cost summary some time ago on a basic list of
components for a pole pig based system and the cost was extremely close
to what I had seen with my project. Please repost that Chip if still
available. You can hit $1500-$2000 real fast even with certain parts
being obtained at a fraction of their original cost by visiting Ham
Fests. Good Luck with your project, take your time and you can keep the
costs under control and the system quality high. It took me about ten
months! Then you'll want to build the bigger system!!
Chuck Curran