[Elecraft] "jeweler's screwdriver"

[Larry Kayser]

Bob, N7XV wrote....

I couldn't find my insulated tuning tool and just used a jeweler's
screwdriver on the trimmers of my K2 without any problems.


Well yes but.  Always watch for the "but".  Many years ago I was loaned from my employer to help out on a capital ship that was having radar problems with a new radar.  We were a long way from home.

Following the large manual, I used the provided small metal screwdriver and stuck it into a hole and felt around for the top of a trimmer capacitor that needed some tweaking.  The temperature was well over 35C and I was sweating very heavily.

Some hours later I came too again, eventually over a period of some years the twitch in my left arm went away, not completely, but the involuntary muscle spasms stopped and some years after that I managed with great effort not to swear and curse every time I saw and engineer from the radar division of xxxxxxx.  At least these days there is only 12 V or so to spark and curl of smoke as things go wrong with this solid state stuff.  Back in those days they had real heated transistors with as much as 300 Volts or more on the decoupling resistor right beside the trimmer I was "feeling" for.  

When it comes to tuning wands I will find a way to do it with something that is insulated.

My KX1 is working great, even with that great big huge silver mica capacitor that is replacing the tiny little tiny one that broke in half on me.  

Larry
VA3LK