[Elecraft] Lightning damage result/repair

[Ron Willcocks]

Hi
     Yesterday a thunderstorm ran through here, and while I didn't think it 
was anywhere too close, the SWR bridge diodes in the KPA100 thought otherwise.
A few hours after the storm, I fired the K2/100 up and it was receiving 
fine, but my troubles started when I tried to tune up. I don't recall all 
the events, but I do know I was quite surprised when the K2 started to tune 
and suddenly all the lights went out. A quick check of the fuse in the 
power cord showed the 20amp fuse had blown. Replacing the fuse bought the 
set to life again, but when I tried to transmit, the display showed unusual 
readings and it was obvious there was no power going up the spout. 
Immediate panic set in as I visualized sending to Elecraft for a pair of 
new finals. However, after taking the shield off the PA and poking around 
with the DMM, I quickly found the FWD diode in the SWR circuit open circuit 
and the REV diode gave a reading of 2.2ohms both ways round.
The final out come resulted in a repair that cost me two 98c diodes and a 
couple of hours work, as Elecraft cunningly put the SWR bridge diodes in 
probably the most awkward place they could think of in the KPA100.
Everything works fine again now, but I have to wonder what else may have 
been damaged and just waiting for the likes of Field Day to stop working? 
Another mystery to me is why didn't the diodes in the bridge circuit of the 
KAT100 go as well?? And what made the 20 amp fuse blow? (perhaps the power 
being ramped up too high as the diodes were in their death throws?)
Cheers.......Ron ZL1TW


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