[Elecraft] My K2 adventure with antenna static discharge

[N9AUP]

My recently completed K2, #7235, worked FB for two weeks.  One evening, while
listening around the bands, I stepped over to my balanced feed tuner to
change taps.  What I didn't realize was that a healthy static charge had
built up on my vertical linear-loaded dipole.  When I reached for a tap I
drew a healthy spark.  That was nearly as unsettling as the snap that
erupted from my K2 as one of the PA transistors let go.

With excellent support from Elecraft and the advice of others on this forum,
I was able to repair the damage and get my K2 back in order.  In the
process, I did hear from a number of people on the forum that it was not
uncommon for K2's to be damaged by static discharge.  

Each leg of my balanced feed now sports a 15 Megohm 1 watt carbon resistor
anchored to a grounded braid strap.  I haven't noticed any change in
performance and there is absolutely no evidence of a static build-up.

For whatever it's worth. . .

George
N9AUP

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