[Elecraft] I need some grounding-strap guidance, if'n you please

[Wes Stewart]

Don offers generally good advice.  I would argue with the statement that the j-bolt sill anchors aren't grounded, however.  They may not make a good safety or made ground, but for anti-static purposes, they should be fine.

Wes  N7WS

--- On Mon, 8/31/09, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:

From: Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] I need some grounding-strap guidance, if'n you please
To: "Peter N. Spotts" <kc1jb at arrl.net>
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Date: Monday, August 31, 2009, 7:43 AM

Pete,

Work carefully with the KX1 - especially the KXB3080 low pass filter - 
the manual is correct, but follow it *exactly* and keep your work neat - 
use small diameter solder and do not apply too much.  Get flush cutters 
if you do not have them already.

Those bolts around the foundation are not likely to be grounded - most 
are not.
If you have modern wiring in that garage, ground the wrist strap and 
anti-static mat to the center screw of the receptacle plate.  Before 
doing that, get one of those inexpensive receptacle test devices from 
your hardware or DIY store (the ones that just plug in and have 3 LEDs 
as fault indicators) to be certain the receptacle is wired correctly.

If you do not have the modern grounded wiring, is the electrical breaker 
box located in the garage?  If so, run a wire to its enclosure.  If no 
electrical box, then run a wire through the wall to the ground stake 
outside at the electrical service entrance.

Older homes may have *all* copper plumbing out to the service entry or 
well, and can be used for a ground connection, but then consider that 
the plumbing may have plastic splices that defeats a continuous ground path.

73,
Don W3FPR

Peter N. Spotts wrote:
> Good morning, folks,
>
> I'm eagerly awaiting Wednesday's arrival of my KX-1 kit, tricked out
> for four bands plus the auto tuner. The last two kits I built (back in
> the day) were Heathkit's HW-8 and 2036A synthesized 2-meter transceiver.
> That was largely before static-sensitive ICs. 
>
> I will be building the kit in my workshop, which occupies one
> corner of our garage (unfinished interior walls, unpainted cement
> floor). I'm not clear where I should hook up the other end of a wrist
> strap or mat. One thought that occurred to me involved any bolts
> holding down the wall framing to the cement foundation. But there may
> be a more elegant approach. 
>
> I'd be grateful for any guidance!
>
> With best regards,
>
> Pete
>   
>
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