[Lowfer] lightning -> NE602 -> trash

[Eric Smith]

Whenever I am not using my LF converter I disconnect the antenna and tie 
it ground.

Last night, I was tired I guess, and forgot to do it.  I just turned off 
the radio and removed power from the converter.

During the night, torrential rain and thunder that sounded as if it was 
right on top of us.

Today, no LF converter.  

I suspected and replaced the NE(SA)602 mixer/oscillator chip and I was 
once again in business!

So I'll never do that again.  Perhaps you have a way to continuosly bleed 
static to ground?  Seems I've heard you can use the tiny fluorescent bulbs 
you can get from RS -- I have a few of these.

Unfortunately, 5 minutes later, I very suddenly lost the audio amp in the 
old Galaxy GT-550.

  :(

Good day for equipment loss.  But my beacon is still operating :)

Eric, KD5UWL