[Elecraft] KPA-1500 failing on 160...AGAIN!

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Yes and without proper lightning protection or static build-up 
prevention on a feedline, a nearby strike can induce 4KV+ on the antenna 
and feedline.  A flash-over will likely leave a carbon trace that will 
be followed by a few 100 watts of RF.   It only gets worst, not 
better.   On more than one occasion I've heard a snap snap only to 
observe a spark occurring between the shell and center pin of a 
PL-259.   This was before I installed PolyPhaser devices on the lines 
and before I stopped disconnecting my feed lines from the equipment.   
Since then, no issues.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 9/27/2019 1:04 PM, Jeff Blaine wrote:
> PL259/SO239 BDV is around 4KV in dry air.
>
> 73/jeff/ac0c
> alpha-charlie-zero-charlie
> www.ac0c.com
>
>
> On 9/27/19 1:01 PM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
>> 5000 watts is 500 volts rms with a perfect antenna system. I suspect 
>> that PL-259 connectors really can withstand much more than 500 volts. 
>> Has anyone tested them?  My station has a mixture of UHF, N and DIN 
>> connectors and all have worked perfectly for 1500 watts HF.  If 
>> PL-259s are failing they are either poor quality connectors or there 
>> are serious antenna issues causing excessive voltage.
>>
>> John KK9A
>>
>>
>> Walter Underwood K6WRU
>>
>> Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]
>> From the Amphenol data sheet, UHF connectors are rated for 500 V 
>> peak, so they are marginal for use at that power level. Type N 
>> connectors are rated at 1500 V peak.
>>
>>
>> wunder
>> K6WRU
>> Walter Underwood
>> CM87wj
>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
>>
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