A pilot reported the LHQ Runway 10 pilot activated lighting failed to turn on following activation on his first approach. After going around and during a second approach the lights turned on following activation at a low altitude before landing.

Narrative

As I came in on the LHQ RNAV Runway 10 approach and clicked to activate runway lighting; the lights did not initially come on. I lined up with the runway and descended to approximately 500 FT AGL. When the lights did not activate; I chose to go around despite having good visual sighting of and alignment with the runway. On the second approach; the lights similarly did not come-on; as they generally do; as I clicked the proper frequency. I lined up with the runway again and started my descent. As I came within 200 FT AGL; and I was over the runway; the lights finally activated and I proceeded to land without incident with more than 3;000 FT to spare. The failure of the lights to activate normally was unnerving and I had decided to divert to LCK if they had not activated by the time I needed to commit or to go around the second time. I am not sure if I clicked rapidly enough the many times I tried to activate the lights on the failed attempts; although I had never had this situation arise at LHQ or at any other pilot activated airport. I will probably test the pattern at LHQ in the near future to discern if it was my clicking skills or the light system that provoked the situation. I discussed this situation with my CFII/military colleague. We decided to file this report in the interest of safety and to try some local night flights to see if the problem re-occurs.