It rarely happens because a lot comes into play, humidity, proximity of certain clothing, walking on carpet,etc. If Humidity is up around 60% or higher, not wearing wool or synthetics, and not a lot of foot traffic on the wool carpet next to your workspace, you have probably nailed down 99% of hazard. a small ionizing air blower of the correct polarization is often used to further enhance the environment. Have I ever killed a chip? Yes, several expensive computer chips die in my classroom every year. Despite the precautions and ESD safe work areas, concrete floors, etc, a student will absentmindedly pick up a RAM or CPU and put it in a pocket or slide it across a cardboard sheet used to protect a non-ESD-proof work bench and kill it instantly. It's the 'unconscious' actions that'll do it. And these computer parts all contain ample ESD protection diodes,etc, but still fall victim. Don't gamble with the parts.
In Aerospace we are taught about LATENT DEFECTS. This is an ESD weakening of the component that isn't detectable during normal testing. It's only after launch when the boogers are 25,000 Km out in space or on the surface of Mars that they start too fail. In ham terms that's the equivalent of the 8th hour in a contest or when you hear the rare DX return your call. So don't take it for granted that you got away with the handling of the parts just because the rig turned on and you hear a W6. It may be catastrophic and it may just reduce the performance of the rig to less than advertised specs - so always do the best you can to protect. 73 es good luck AL, WA6VNN ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
