Christmas Tree Light 2xQSO on 80m and 450nm

I met with John, WA1ABI, tonight on 3515 KHz for a Christmas Tree Light to Christmas Tree Light QSO.  Both of us were feeding our radio into our lights for a CW QSO.  As I had mine configured as a loop, I benefited from low noise levels and heard John S3 above the noise floor, sending John a 539.  I received a “solid” RST 229 for my 60 watts of power.

I did note that the lights were glowing with my CW, not all of them, but especially those closest to the AC feed.  So I was broadcasting on 80 meters and 450 nanometers (at least the blue bulbs)!

The next test, later tonight, will drive the lights as an end-fed wire as opposed to a loop.

My Backyard Tree with 600 mini lights.

Magical Coupling Device!

A very short video snip — you can see John’s signals on the P3 display hitting S4 at the end:  WA1ABI

RBN Spots While on Lights

And John later the same night — much stronger with antenna change:  WA1ABI