[Elecraft] Generic words on temperature

[Geoffrey Feldman]

My rule of thumb is that if you can keep your finger on it for a second or
so without pain, it's not too hot. 

 

The ambient temperature is really not the issue as much as whether heat is
carried off.  I know it's hot in the pacific northwest but I think you can
still enjoy your gear.  The larger issue is RFI from air conditioners.

 

The environmental consideration many people neglect is atmospheric pressure.
As altitude increases, there is less air to carry the heat away.  People
sometimes install fans with an idea to sucking out the heat. This is
actually wrong. The fan should blow ambient air in and the venting for it to
get out should intend that pressure inside the case be a bit higher than the
ambient pressure.  More molecules against the hot part, the better.  If you
read the fine print on electronic specifications you will often (and should
always) see an atmospheric spec with the heat spec.

 

All the above is just rule-of-thumb of course.  There is a lot more to
cooling electronics than the above but I think these are worth considering.

 

Elecraft gear is pretty good at protecting itself as well. If your radio
cuts out, it's doing its job of living for more fun later.

 

W1GCF

Geoff