[Elecraft] K3/100 -Second floor- no RF ground ??

[David Herring, K6DCH]

Hi Chuck

I have no experience with artificial grounds, but I can tell you that  
a balun will quite likely put an end to your RF burn problem.

Regarding RF ground, most hams don't have one. It's rarely needed (I'm  
talking about rig RF ground, not, say for antennas, which is a whole  
other thing).  And it's hard to really make one that really works, due  
to impedance issues.  Being on the second floor, it would just be an  
antenna anyway, making your problems with TVI just that much worse.

Go get a good 1:1 current balun (or make one) and start from there. It  
should improve or eliminate both you TVI and your RF at the operating  
position problem. If it doesn't, there are other steps to be taken,  
but this is your best starting point.

Good luck

73,
David K6DCH

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 24, 2010, at 12:18 PM, callen1155 <callen1155 at yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>
> Hello guys,
>
> I'm planning on purchasing a K3/100 but am concerned about my second  
> floor
> shack and RF problems.
>
> First of all:
> 1) I don't have an RF ground (don't really want to drill thru the  
> house and
> siding for the ground strap) and
>
> 2) my antenna is a semi-indoor/attic dipole (HOA).
> I'm running a coax from the second floor radio to the attic where i  
> attach
> to a dipole (no balun) and the dipole runs the length of the house  
> each way
> and out the eaves where both wires run out about 35 yards to the  
> trees.
>
> I'm using my K2/15 and don't have problems but previously with my  
> old Knwd
> TS 830 at about 100 watts the vibroplex bug would 'bite' me. I'd  
> also get
> some RFI on the TV (didn't try any filters to prevent it).
>
> I know both of the above arrangements are potential sources for RF  
> problems.
> What I don't know is whether RF problems (both the 'burn' and RFI)  
> are radio
> related; i.e. are some radios more prone cause issues and how is the  
> K3/100
> in this regard as compared to the TS 830?  (this may be a non- 
> question-- i
> just don't have enough experience with different radios to know).
>
> So I'm wonder if any of you operate a K3/100 from a second floor  
> shack, with
> no RF ground, (guess it's too much to ask about a semi-indoor  
> antenna) and
> if you're experiencing RF problems?
>
> Also, if I experience RF problems with the K3 do any you have any  
> experience
> with an "Artificial RF Ground" such as the MFJ-931?
>
> Sorry about being long winded.
>
> Hope I'm not 'destined' to order a K3/10 instead.
>
> thanks again.
> chuck
> af4xk
> -- 
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