[Elecraft] Stupid, stupid, stupid - OT

[Joe Malloy]

EricJ wrote:

>At K2USA we had a BC-610 in the main studio (1964). It stood a little over
>desk high and was truly the Mother of all Boatanchors. To tune it, you had
>to lift a small hatch in the top surface and rotate a link coupling. But, of
>course, you had to switch off the B+ first. If you forgot to do that, there
>was an interlock on the small hatch to cut the B+.
>
>We had two military operators (not hams) who handled the MARS traffic for us
>so we could ham. Somebody had discovered that the interlock was not working
>earlier in the day. I taped down the hatch, taped a note over that so the
>ops would have to remove the note to open the hatch, told the two ops to be
>absolutely sure they shut off the B+ before tuning the TX and left for home.
>

Ah, yes, the B+ supply!  Another stupid event I recall was when I was 
"working" on my Galaxy V MkII transceiver -- the transmitter section -- 
and didn't realize the B+ (ca 600 volts) was *always* switched on when 
the thing was even only receiving.  I brushed against the loading 
capacitor (variable, natch) and, well, let's just say the scars on my 
palm are still visible.

I really like the 12 volt solid state stuff.  Oh, and by the way -- it 
was right after the aforementioned experience that I developed an 
interest in QRP (1975)!

73,

Joe, W2RBA