UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post

QQVO6/40 · 9th Aug 2022, 3:12 am

Greetings all.

I have been using this topic as a check list.
Yep! Been there. Done that!

My own contribution. Working on a HF "brick". A small self contained RF amplifier for increasing the output power of my FT817 low powered transceiver from 5 Watts to about 25 Watts.
It was working quite well into a dummy load (maybe I am the dummy) but I needed to clean up a bit of solder.
Removed the drive from the FT817 but did not remove the 12 Volt power.
OOPS!!
Used the soldering iron to make the necessary adjustment not thinking that the tip of the iron is earthed.
Exit 2 unobtanium RF power transistors.
GRRRRRRR!

Fortunately we do live and learn.

Cheers, Robert.

9th Aug 2022, 3:12 am	#76
QQVO6/40 Hexode Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 321	Re: I’m an idiot! Greetings all. I have been using this topic as a check list. Yep! Been there. Done that! My own contribution. Working on a HF "brick". A small self contained RF amplifier for increasing the output power of my FT817 low powered transceiver from 5 Watts to about 25 Watts. It was working quite well into a dummy load (maybe I am the dummy) but I needed to clean up a bit of solder. Removed the drive from the FT817 but did not remove the 12 Volt power. OOPS!! Used the soldering iron to make the necessary adjustment not thinking that the tip of the iron is earthed. Exit 2 unobtanium RF power transistors. GRRRRRRR! Fortunately we do live and learn. Cheers, Robert.