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

[Bill Johnson]

To that end, I use a remote switch to remove direct connection and have all the grounding to an extensive ground system to to all my ground side connectors to attract any static to ground without shorting or providing any direct path to my shack.

Bill
920-421-1172

________________________________
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of David Gilbert <xdavid at cis-broadband.com>
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2019 4:45:55 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 failing on 160...AGAIN!


I've probably posted this here before, but I once had a 160m Inverted-V
at 70 feet that didn't have a DC ground.  As a thunderstorm approached
(but was still several miles away) I reached down to short the coax end
in the shack and drew a heavy blue 2 inch long arc that traveled from
the end of the coax into my left arm and out my right arm to the
concrete floor.  My biceps were sore for three days.

The breakdown inception voltage of 2 inches of dry air is generally
considered to be over 150,000 volts.

73,
Dave   AB7E



On 9/27/2019 1:59 PM, K8TE wrote:
> For those with insulated verticals, the potential gradient is about 100
> V/meter.  That varies with humidity and altitude.  But, you get the picture.
> In dry climates like here in NM, this is a big deal for commercial broadcast
> AM antennas.   Even with the transmitter shut down, unless there is a "DC
> ground" on the antenna, one shorts the tower to ground first prior to
> climbing on or off the tower.  This was a big deal when the local power
> company rescued three folks from our 770 tower after it "captured" their hot
> air balloon!
>
> Bleeding off static electricity is a big deal.  Wind blowing dust, snow, or
> rain can generate thousands of Volts that can provide a mean shock to us
> humans and hurt our radio gear.  I am leaving for the race track to play
> with my Miata this weekend.  I will disconnect my antennas, just in case.
>
> 73, Bill, K8TE
>

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