I like the idea of HBF but I'll settle for whatever Sitka has available, likely mutlivolt Advance ballasts that will last a couple years then quit for no reason or start working sporadically, if at all.
Does that place have a backup generator perhaps? If so the flicker from bad hertz would make sense but if other things weren't doing it that makes no sense and debunks that theory. And also electronic T8 ballasts seem pretty tolerant to voltage fluctuations and wandering cycles/hertz...trust me, I know, I've used them on generators with hertz issues, as well as seen them take voltage dips with large motor-driven items, such as a SkilSaw, starting.
OK, so here's an interesting one I found about today: The FM dial where I live could become REALLY empty once July 1st rolls around!
The state of Alaska is doing major budget cuts, including to public broadcasting (radio and TV). Public radio obviously falls into this category. Although I don't listen to news or NPR much I think it'd be a shame to see it go...I think in fact here in rural Alaska we have some of the most unique NPR stations! I bet in most metropolitan areas you wouldn't hear a locally-generated "set" consisting of (Actual set I've heard included these): Papa Roach-Last Kiss, Blink-182- Stay Together for the Kids, Smashing Pumpkins-Tonight Tonight, or something such as (different station) Danzig-Mother, Skillet-Hero, etc. Granted, these are all in that 10PM-midnight time slot LOL. But most NPR stations don't play anything like that...but the ones here do, along with, yes, classical and jazz. But you just don't hear unique radio stations like that in more urban areas!
I think it'd be a shame to see them go dark because of their unique-ness. I guess it could affect all public radio in Alaska eventually. Stations might not go off the air July 1st but I picture a slippery slope from there. And once they're gone it's hard to reopen them I imagine.
Now, it wouldn't leave where I live totally without radio, but it would sure mean installing a pretty high antenna to hear AM stations during the day, and of course at night things would be listenable on even the cheapest radios, albeit hissy and scratchy.
So it will be interesting to see what will happen! Maybe clearing the airwaves will make room for something else, who knows. That was the main start of any FM radio in most areas of Alaska, public radio! Including my area.
Human achievement hour...might have to do that!
Yeah I'd like to find a programmed-start 3-lamp version.