k1 static charge

[Don Baucom]

Im operating portable from Taos, NM. I am using a K1 on the front porch. the antenna is a long wire about 80ft drapped over the roof connected to a binding post . The negative post has a 6 foot wire connected to it. The K1 will tune it to 1.5 swr. The issue is almost everytime I touch the case, I get a static spark. This seems worrisome. Should I be worried?. If so, what should I do? Taos is at 7000 feet with virtually no humidty.

73
Don
K4YND

[Niel Skousen-2]

10 k resistor from antenna binding post to ground
Is the radio grounded ?  That may help to

Niel


On Jun 17, 2012, at 9:49 PM, Don Baucom wrote:

> Im operating portable from Taos, NM. I am using a K1 on the front porch. the
> antenna is a long wire about 80ft drapped over the roof connecred to binding
> post on the bact of the k1. The negavtive post has a 6 foot wire connected
> to it. The K1 will tune it to 1.5 swr. The issue is almost everytime I touch
> the case, I get a static spark. This seems worrisome. Should I be worried?.
> If so, what should I do? Taos is at 7000 feet with virtually no humidty.
>
> 73
> Don
> K4YND
>
> --
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Don,

Yes, you should be concerned for the health of your K1.  If you have the
KAT1 installed, the wattmeter diodes can be zapped by a charge like
that.  Use a resistor between the antenna and the counterpoise and if
you can find a way to ground the K1 case, that would be good too.  It
does not need to be a wonderful ground, but even a 1 foot rod into the
earth will help bleed off the static charge.

The charge is most likely coming from "wind static" - there does not
have to be much breeze to create it.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/17/2012 11:49 PM, Don Baucom wrote:

> Im operating portable from Taos, NM. I am using a K1 on the front porch. the
> antenna is a long wire about 80ft drapped over the roof connecred to binding
> post on the bact of the k1. The negavtive post has a 6 foot wire connected
> to it. The K1 will tune it to 1.5 swr. The issue is almost everytime I touch
> the case, I get a static spark. This seems worrisome. Should I be worried?.
> If so, what should I do? Taos is at 7000 feet with virtually no humidty.
>
> 73
> Don
> K4YND
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/k1-static-charge-tp7557763.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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[Don Baucom]

Thanks!

It does not happen on the back deck with the end fed ParZ 20 meter ant. It only happens on the front with the random long wire, I think your right about the wind. Very windy.  I will abandon the front op and stick to the safe antenna. I would hate fry my K1. I'm here for 5 more days. I think I will put a 40 meter inv Vee up in the back.

Thanks for the help

73
Don

[nt3g]

Don

Good advice that I will henceforth follow. Meanwhile, immediately after an extremely violent bout of lightning, my K1 went dead and shows an E27 error message when powering on. Usual power on relay noise heard. Is there a good place to start troubleshooting?
Thanks!

Chuck, NT3G