Hello Group, I've just re-hung my 80m horizontal loop. With so much wire in the air, I'm reviewing my static charge risks and how to reduce them to protect my K3. I'm in the mountains - things get bumpy and charged up here. I once lost the wattmeter diodes in my K2/100 to a static event, so I'm looking for prevention. Any advice will be gratefully received.
Here's my new setup: 80m loop fed with open wire line to a DX Engineering 1:1 balun outside the shack. A 5 foot length of RG213 brings the signal from the balun, through the shack wall to an AlphaDelta antenna switch. The outer shield of the RG213 is connected to the station ground, at the balun, outside the shack. The AlphaDelta switch is connected also to the same station ground. It grounds the centre conductor of all antenna lines when in the "common" position - and I leave it this way whenever I'm not operating. My understanding is that any antenna lines are protected by a gas discharge capsule in this switch, which acts as a "fuse" in the event of significant static discharge on an ungrounded line? "Station ground" here means 2 copper pipes buried in earth outside the shack and connected by about 6 feet of cable. One of the pipes is in very damp earth most of the year, the other is sheltered and is in dry soil. Is this setup sufficient to manage static discharge risk from my antenna, or are there other precautions I should be taking? I've read about ICE static discharge devices and high value resistors from both sides of the ladder line to ground. Just looking to minimise risk without going overboard. Thanks and 73 John VK7JB ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
