[Boatanchors] Close Call With a SX-100

[Vic Rosenthal]

Bill Stewart wrote:

> This also brings up a question of antenna input protection. What type of
> back-to-back diodes should be used at the antenna input of a receiver? Also,
> could a very small amperage fuse be used in series with the antenna
> input(such as used in a DMM). 

I would think that any silicon diodes would work.  They usually have a forward 
voltage drop of about 0.6V which should be plenty high enough to not interfere 
with received signals.

Around about 1960 I saved every cent from a brutal summer job to buy an SP600JX 
that was on consignment at a surplus place in Hempstead, Long Island (OTs from 
that area will know the name of the place)!  When I got it home, I was horrified 
to find that it was almost dead on 20 meters.  I opened up the RF coil housing, 
and sure enough the antenna link coil had been vaporized!  I couldn't even tell 
how many turns it had had on it.  I just made an educated guess and rewound it, 
and the receiver worked great after that (no I don't still have it, unfortunately!)

The ham that sold the receiver with the defect is probably getting stuck by hot 
pitchforks now.

-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco