[Elecraft] KPA500 Build

[Jack Regan]

I was working on my car with my wedding ring on.  The car was turned off.  I
was reaching for something and put my hand into the space between the hot
side of the car battery and a tube.  I ALMOST WELDED MY RING TO MY FINGER.
There was hole melted into the ring.  I do not wear the ring any more for
safety sake.  Besides getting shocked wearing it I found that it snags on
things when gardening! 

Luckily I have been married to the same understanding woman for 43 years!! 

Don and Kevin are correct.  Low voltages can be very dangerous.  Better safe
than sorry!

Jack, AE6GC
****************************************************
I was at a Red Cross EOC during a training drill as an ECOM operator.  The
stack of radios were on a folding leg table with an aisle for people to pass
on the back side of all of those radios.  When I walked into the radio room
the first thing I saw were all the low voltage lines exposed to  
touch.  I kept telling the folks in control how very dangerous this was.   
They all wore wedding bands and watches which would have welded themselves
to the power lines.  They did not seem to understand.  "It is only 12
volts", they said.  "But at how many amps?", I responded.  They did not
understand the welding concept.  I searched the place and found a bunch of
tape which I used to cover all the exposed cables.  Even the other radio ops
did not seem concerned.  I wonder what they would have done if I had shorted
a screwdriver across one of the rigs?  Sometimes it is very difficult to
tell folks they are in danger and have them understand it.
    73,
       Kevin.  KD5ONS



On Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:40:30 -0700, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
wrote:

>   Tony,
>
> Your cookie sheet is an OK idea, but it gives me cause to insert one 
> of my safety "hot spots".
> When working on a fully conductive surface, keep all power sources at 
> a safe distance (at least 1 foot greater than your reach).  That goes 
> for even 9 volt batteries and 13.8 power sources, and of course, the 
> AC receptacles.
>
> The AC voltage problem is easily recognized - high voltage can kill 
> you, but not as readily recognized is that low voltage can maim you - 
> suppose your watch or wedding ring comes in contact with a battery
terminal.
> Not only will flying molten metal happen, but your finger or wrist can 
> be very badly burned by the heat produced.
>
> Work as you see fit, but above all - BE SAFE - low voltage sources can 
> maim or even kill just as well as high voltage.
>
> There are no fully conducting surfaces in my work area - static mat, 
> yes, but metal sheets, NO!
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 7/8/2011 5:07 PM, Tony Estep wrote:
>> Not only is a muffin tin an excellent parts bin, but a large cookie 
>> sheet is great for building SMT gadgets. It's conductive, so no 
>> static buildup, and the raised edges keep little parts from ending up 
>> on the floor. I got a muffin tin and cookie sheet at Walmart, $3.50 
>> each. If the shiny surface of the cookie sheet is too reflective, put 
>> a piece of black conductive foam on it.
>>
>> Tony KT0NY