[Elecraft] Need to select a dummy load for K3 TX calibration...(advice?)

Tue Mar 2 18:15:29 EST 2010

Jim,

Don't know what the disposal situation is in your neck of the woods, but
where I live in SE Mich, no local hazardous disposal site will handle
the material.  I asked.

I'd have to hire an 'environmental' company to come in and remove the
stuff, and then they have certain approved means of breaking down the
chemical composition to dispose of it.  If you go to the EPA site on
PCBs, they have links to the companies that are approved to handle PCB
disposal.

That's why I'd steer clear of older Cantennas.  It's not worth the
hassle to get one tested and then to dispose of it, if need be.  It
would clearly end up costing far more than the bargain price you paid
for it in the flea market.

Note that this has nothing to do with whether you think the stuff is
dangerous or not.  Our government has stepped in and decided how PCBs
are to be handled.

73,

-- Dave, N8SBE

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need to select a dummy load for K3 TX
> calibration...(advice?)
> From: Jim Wiley <jwiley at alaska.net>
> Date: Tue, March 02, 2010 2:48 pm
> To:
> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
>
> Disposing of the entire "Cantenna" would be an over-reaction.  The
> Cantenna can be opened safely, any oil within disposed of, the component
> parts rinsed in an approved solvent, and reassembled using mineral oil,
> or NON-PCB transformer oil as the coolant.   Use rubber gloves, dispose
> of the existing coolant in an approved manner.  Bottle the waste oil and
> used solvent it,and take it to a hazardous waste disposal site.  Most
> city dumps will have such a facility.    Non-PCB based transformer oils
> are  often available at electrical supply houses or perhaps you can find
> a friend at the local power company that will give you a "fill-up" for
> the asking.
>
>
> The hazard to you and the environment is minimal with such a
> procedure.   PCB based transformer oils, "Askarel" is the trade name for
> one such oil, are mildly toxic and must be handled properly, but you
> won't die or even get sick from a brief exposure.  If you get any on
> your skin, which is unlikely if you use rubber or latex gloves, simply
> wash with solvent first then copious quantities of soap and water.  An
> approved solvent would be Chevron 325 Thinner, also sometimes known as
> "Stoddart" solvent,  or equivalent.
>
>
> If transformer oils were all that toxic, hundreds or even thousands of
> power company employees and communications techs would have tipped over
> by now- and that hasn't happened.  PCBs were once commonly used  in high
> voltage transformers, high voltage caps, and similar items.   I am not
> attempting to say such materials have no hazards,  it's just that such
> hazards are often  "hyped" to  levels  that  are not  commensurate with
> the real risk.
>
>
> Back to your regularly scheduled reflector now.
>
>
> - Jim, KL7CC
>
>
> Dave New, N8SBE wrote:
> > "I don't like the idea of a can of oil sitting in the house," -- in
> > particular, if you don't know what kind of oil might be lurking in that
> > old Cantenna.  Note that prior to the "A" suffix models, Heath
> > recommended transformer oil, and had no warnings against using oils that
> > contained PCBs.  After PCBs were outlawed in the US, Heath changed their
> > recommendation to mineral oil, and included a warning against the use of
> > transformer oil of unknown composition.
> >
> > So, if you come across a vintage Cantenna at a ham fest, what do you
> > think might be in it?  If it's the old style with the little 'house' on
> > top, I'd steer clear of it.  The Cantenna should be disposed of, in
> > accordance with federal law, and under no circumstances should be opened
> > by untrained and unprotected personnel.  Considering that most of these
> > Cantennas leak around the screws on the lid, I'd be very leery of any of
> > the 'first edition' Cantennas.  The new ones, with the spiffy Red/Black
> > logos, should be OK, but if you have any doubt, pass it by.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > -- Dave, N8SBE
> >
> >
> >> -------- Original Message --------
> >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need to select a dummy load for K3 TX
> >> calibration...(advice?)
> >> From: Ken Nicely <ken at nicelyweb.com>
> >> Date: Tue, February 23, 2010 11:11 pm
> >> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> >>
> >>
> >> I have the MFJ 264
> >> http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-264
> >>
> >> I have been using this for about 9 months now without a problem.  I use it
> >> to tune the amp putting about 500 or 600 watts into it for short periods of
> >> time with no problems.   If you want a nice one that you wont outgrow for a
> >> while I would recommend it.  I don't like the idea of a can of oil sitting
> >> in the house, and why have that heavy paint can full of oil sitting around
> >> when you can put this little air cooled unit on the shelf.  All for about
> >> $75.00.
> >>
> >> Of course this is overkill for what you need now, but you might consider it
> >> if you ever plan on an amp in the future.
> >>
> >> Ken KE3C
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