[Elecraft] k2 KPA100/KPA100 schottky diodes

[Jferg977 at aol.com]

Is there any reason to choose one specification over another for the  
1N5711's which are found in the KPA100 and KAT100?  The ones currently  being shipped 
appear to be GTE's vs whatever the kits came with in 2006.
 
I had thought that the frequent frying of these diodes on my k2 was due to  
lightning strikes but it looks more like the product of static discharges via 
my  23 foot vertical - you can hear the snaps as the potential arcs across the 
coax  connection at my Balun.  I had thought that this only happened in storms 
 but it turns out to start as the storm is coming.  Clearly the answer is to  
disconnect the radio from the antenna unless I'm using it.  It's also been  
suggested that I put an inductor shunt between the lead in and ground, but  I'm 
at a loss to size it.
 
It also occurred to me to bring a wire up from the grounding system to  about 
the height of the antenna and put one of those wirebrush static wicks on  it. 
 
Is what I'm considering crazy?  If you think so, it will be ok to tell  me.
 
 
73   AI4TO       john  ferguson    M/V Arcadian



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