[Elecraft] ESD recommendation

[David Ferrington, M0XDF]

Yes you do have to go to the effort of ESD projection - without it, you may
just get lucky and not blow a component - but then you've just waited months
for your K3 and why risk it? ESD stuff (like everything else) over in the US
is so damn cheap anyway.

I can't suggest where to buy - Radio Shack perhaps - just checked

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102871&cp=&sr=1&origk
w=static&kw=static&parentPage=search

Good God , that's $25 - £12 pounds at current rate - I paid £25 pounds just
for an ESD mat! I might just move to US.

You need
 * an ESD mat - to place parts on etc while you build
 * a ESD wrist strap - to ensure you aren't developing a charge
 * a ESD wire  - to connect the rig chassis to your bonding point
   (some may say this isn't absolutely necessary)

Do NOT skimp and I'd say buy rather than make - if you do make, it is VERY
important to have a 1M ohm  resistor in series with the wrist strap - in
fact , all the commercial ESD stuff has a 1M ohm resistor in the lines.
This doesn't stop it bleeding of a static charge, but it does stop you
getting 110v across your chest by accident and becoming a SK before you've
put the K3 together.

All the lines must run to one bounding point which is earthed - the mains
supply earth is ok, even the one in the plug, it doesn't need to be an RF
earth. Do check you mains earth is good, but then that's standard safety
anyway. You can buy mains plug ESB bonding plugs.

If you have a soldering iron (not required for K3) and you using it on
components - a K2 for instance, do check it has an earthed tip and try to
use same socket or plug for you bonding point.

I modified my Antex temp controlled iron case and added 4 banana sockets to
it, all bonded to the incoming mails lead.


On 23/11/07 11:52, "Greg - N4CC" <n4cc at alltel.net> sent:

> Hello all -- Like everyone else I'm looking forward to a K3 showing
> up sometime before I become a SK...hi hi...(third production
> run...ugh)...but I'm trying to get prepared so everything will be
> ready to go when the kit gets here.  I don't have any special "ESD"
> protection and was wondering what others have done to comply with
> appropriate ESD protection....and where you have obtained wrist
> straps, ESD mats, etc.  I live in FL and normally static is not a
> particular problem...(lightning -- yes....low humidity and static --
> no)  It's not like a northern dry winter where you can walk across
> the carpet and draw a spark from a door knob...so I'm wondering if I
> even have to go to the effort...Interested in your thoughts...73 de Greg-N4CC
-- 
Why should I fear death? If I am, death is not. If death is, I am not. Why
should I fear that which cannot exist when I do?
-Epicurus, philosopher (c. 341-270 BCE)