[Elecraft] auto-disconnect antenna relays? (KAT100 related)

[David Gilbert]

Even better would be a surge protector with a shunt inductor designed 
for pretty much that exact task.  I have no connection with I.C.E. but 
$40 seems a reasonable enough price.

http://www.iceradioproducts.com/impulse1.html#1

Static accumulation from overhead clouds can be huge even without a 
lightning strike.  I generally short the shack end of all my coax runs 
when a storm approaches, but one day a couple of years ago I was slow 
doing so and when I reached for the coax I got zapped with a bright blue 
2 inch long arc to my left hand (my right hand was touching the concrete 
floor).  Both biceps were sore for three days afterward. 

I'm not sure I'd want to trust one megohm to draw off the static charge 
quickly enough to keep the voltage from creeping high enough to damage 
the rig.  I've seen arcs jump across the end of an unterminated PL-259 
literally every five seconds.  Give me the DC short any day.

73,
Dave   AB7E



Andreas Junge wrote:
> Chris,
>
> how about a 1Meg OHM resistor between the center of the coax connector
> and ground. That should bleed off the static, but not mess with the
> impedance.
>
> Andreas, N6NU
>
> On Sat, 2009-10-10 at 19:27 -0700, Chris Kantarjiev wrote:
>   
>> I've just replaced the 1N5711 SWR diodes in my KAT100 for the Nth time. It's annoying, but I guess 
>> it's not annoying enough to cause me to disconnect my antennas every time I turn off the radio!
>>
>> Here in "northern" California, we don't have many thunderstorms, but apparently we get enough wind 
>> static to damage these diodes once every year or so. I really wish there was an idiot-proof way to 
>> disconnect the antennas without any intervention on my part!
>>
>> A small box that was powered from my 12v distribution panel and has two suitable relays in it would 
>> be welcome. I guess I could make it myself, but I wonder if anyone else has already done so, in a 
>> way that integrates cleanly to the KAT100 outputs? I wouldn't want them in the KAT2, since I operate 
>> from battery at times. But when I'm running the KAT100, I am using more power than I have battery ...
>>
>> (Does the K3 have such relays in the output circuitry?)
>>
>> 73 de chris K6DBG
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