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

[Jim Brown]

On Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:58:47 -0800, Jerry T. Dowell wrote:

>bands 160M through 6M, with varying degrees of effectiveness. I cannot run
>my amplifier (Alpha 78) at more than 200-300 watts on most bands without
>significant RF problems, including tripping GFIs. I intend to try to
>alleviate the problems with a tuned ground, using a series-tuned resonant
>circuit in a counterpoise system hanging out the window, an arrangement
>similar to the MFJ 931. 

That has NOTHING to do with your problem. It's a bad GFI. Your antenna is 
doing exactly what it is supposed to do -- radiate RF! The power lines are 
also acting as an antenna, receiving that RF, and coupling it to the GFI. 

>I can continuously discharge myself before and while operating. The reason
>for the ESD susceptibility of the K3 and K2 is flawed shielding design and
>(apparently) lack of ESD mitigation in the circuitry/layout.

To be more precise, it's "pin 1 problems" at cable connection points. See the 
tutorials on my website for details of this problem, first discovered by 
audio professionals. 

http://audiosystemsgroup.com/publish.htm

One thing that can help a LOT is to carefully bond together the chassis of 
every piece of equipment in your system, bond that to the power system ground 
(the green wire), and also to your station ground. 

73,

Jim K9YC