Club 80-90 Forums

transmitting on my icom today on some high ground on 20 metres, about 100 watts, when i heard a fizzle/crack and saw smoke coming from the rear of my westy battery/fridge/ water level control panel?????? i can only assume that it is something to do with the RF power.
before i take it to bits, has anyone got any ideas.?

If you are using 100 watts you should hold a full licence and have knowledge of RF protection methods .

most likely high current draw through the wires or something. cant see rf at hf causing any physical burning except in aerials etc. that are directly connected to the output.

yes thanks for that camper . i have been a class "A" ham since 1997, and a class B since 1987.
i dont remember "westfalia" water meters being a part of the city & guilds?
but cheers for the input?


ROZZO, that was my first thought, but the radio and amp were both wired directly to the leisure batt...
it has to be something to do with current draw, just cant see how?? guess the only way of knowing is to get it in bits and change the resister or tranni that blew... a strange one!!

unless somehow the wiring to it is a resonant length? then you could get extremely high voltages if any coupling was present?
rf the black art