[Elecraft] How susceptable is K2 to antenna static shock?

[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy]

Hi Bill,

Yes I agree that it would take a considerable discharge to cause a problem 
of this type, however this incident took place during a severe gale, without 
any lightning in the area, during a CQ WW. It is a moot question whether the 
wind plus rain resulted in the tree becoming charged after it was uprooted 
and still falling.. The receiver was unharmed, but most if not all of the 
KAT100's LEDs came on.

This was one occasion when catenary "fused" counterweights proved their 
worth, allowing the 15m Lazy H to come down under the tree suffering minor 
damage.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD


On Thursday, July 02, 2009 5:22 at AM, Bill Coleman wrote:

 > On Jul 1, 2009, at 8:31 AM, Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy wrote:
>
>> Yes some years ago, after a falling pine brought down the antenna in  use
>> while the K2/100 was transmitting (CW).  Diodes D12 and D14 in the 
>> KPA100's
>> T-R switch both failed into a shorted condition, and one of the  diodes 
>> in
>> the K2's T-R switch failed as well. I was very lucky that the KPA100's
>> transistors did not blow. My K2/100 now shares a protective shutdown 
>> system.
>
> A couple of years ago, when trying to use the K2 as a receiver with a 
> homebrew transmitter for Straight Key Night, I accidentally  transmitted 
> about 12 or so watts directly into the front end of the  K2/100 for over 
> 30 seconds. The K2/100 isn't apparently any worse for  wear.
>
> So, it would take a considerable discharge to cause a problem of this 
> type.