[Elecraft] Static Discharge Through K-Pod

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Mix a solution of 1 part DOWNY fabric softener and 1 part water. Put it 
in a spray bottle and mist the carpet.  You may need to mist the plastic 
chair pad as well.   This should take care of the static issue for quite 
some time.  If it returns, mist it again.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 3/15/2018 1:52 PM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> Message: 23
> Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2018 18:42:09 +0000
> From: "Larry (K8UT)"<K8UT at charter.net>
> To: "Chuck Milam, N9KY"<N9KY at arrl.net>, "Elecraft Mail List"
> 	<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Static Discharge Through K-Pod
> Message-ID: <emc78c4b6f-c10b-496c-ba76-f298eedbdeb1 at k8ut-pc>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=utf-8
>
> Chuck,
>
> I had this problem in my carpeted shack with a desk chair rolling around
> on a vinyl chair pad. After a little testing I determined that the metal
> case of the K-Pod is not grounded.
>
> The KPod uses a straight-through 6 conductor cable with identical RJ
> connectors on each end. I built a slightly longer cable for my KPod,
> using 6 conductors of a stranded 8 conductor flat ethernet wire. A 7th
> conductor provides chassis ground from the K3 to the metal case of the
> KPod.
>
> I have had zero issues since grounding the K-Pod case.
>
> -larry (K8UT)
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Chuck Milam, N9KY"<N9KY at arrl.net>
> To: "Elecraft Mail List"<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: 2018-03-15 11:08:03
> Subject: [Elecraft] Static Discharge Through K-Pod
>
>> Greetings, All!
>>
>> I'm getting static electricity shocks through my K-Pod case, and I need
>> some suggestions for mitigation.
>>
>> Background:  I keep my K-Pod on my operating desk just to the right of
>> the
>> shack computer mouse. I've noticed when I walk over to the desk and
>> grab
>> the mouse, the K-Pod will beep.  Further investigation shows I'm
>> getting
>> static electricity discharge from my finger through the K-Pod, this
>> morning
>> I even noticed an arc from my pinky finger to the K-Pod case. When the
>> K-Pod beeps, the D1 and D2 lights will cycle.
>>
>> The shack is carpeted, and I have a rolling chair on one of those
>> plastic
>> chair mats (which can probably go away if necessary,) I suspect that
>> mat is
>> probably contributing to the static problem.
>>
>> Obviously, I don't want static electricity discharging through my K-Pod
>> and
>> then through my K3. I'd welcome any ideas for static mitigation
>> strategies.  I was thinking some sort of grounded mouse/keyboard mat,
>> which
>> used to be more common, but seem hard to find these days.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Chuck Milam, N9KY
>> N9KY at arrl.net
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 24
> Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2018 13:52:00 -0500
> From: James Wilson<w4rks73 at gmail.com>
> To:elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Static Discharge Through K-Pod
> Message-ID:
> 	<CAJNRSCY9BOCR5o=gj_GXcjp96Xh5Zw5oS9BBQqvYbLjstWhQJw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> Chuck,
>
> I'm also in an area of low humidity and such static discharges
>
> are a problem. I have everything grounded together and a small
>
> patch of aluminum foil connected with a 1 megohn resistor. After
>
> a trip across the carpet and before touching anything, I touch the
>
> foil. The resistor prevents a spark but discharges the charge. That
>
> may be worth a try for you.
>
> Jim - W4RKS
>
> ---------------------
>
>> I'm getting static electricity shocks through my K-Pod case, and I need
>> some suggestions for mitigation.
>> Background:  I keep my K-Pod on my operating desk just to the right of the
>> shack computer mouse. I've noticed when I walk over to the desk and grab
>> the mouse, the K-Pod will beep.