[Elecraft] K1 and Ant on high amp car battery

[DolfinDon@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/27/2002 8:55:32 AM Central Standard Time, 
tmihelich@home.com writes:


  I have a question about running the K1 with my High Serria
screwdriver antenna off my car battery.
As you know a car battery has a lot of amps and I need to know if I
can put something in-line from the power source to bring down the amps
to say 1.5amps.  When I put the antenna switch to the battery it
buzzes and blows the fuse. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi

I assume you have a short in the switch wiring to the tuning motor of the 
antenna. An easy way to limit the current for troubleshooting is to put a car 
tail light bulb in series with the hot wire from the fuse box or battery. 
This will limit the current when connected to a short so you don't blow 
fuses. This will lower the voltage only a small amount if lightly loaded. 
When you get the problem solved the tuning motor will run a little slower 
than normal but the light will not light or it will glow dimly. If you need 
more current use 2 bulbs in parallel connected in series with the hot wire.

Don Brown
KD5NDB