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Old October 13th 08, 11:07 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
Richard Clark Richard Clark is offline
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Default Antenna ground or rig ground?

On Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:15:44 -0600, Hank Zoeller
wrote:

Richard Clark wrote:
Rig can be
1. open
2. grounded
3. to switched antenna

Antenna can be
1. open
2. grounded
3. to switched rig


As a refinement I'd put a dummy load on switch #1 so that the choices would be:
Rig can be:
1. Open
2. To dummy load
3. To switched antenna

The antenna switch would remain the same -- open, grounded or to switched rig.

I'd rather run my rig into a somewhat reasonable load rather than a short to
ground during the inevitable instance of forgetting to set the switch properly.

If running less than say 200 watts output then one could even use an
incandescent light bulb for the dummy load. It would presumably light up if
one were to inadvertently transmit in that configuration. So, the rig would
be at least partially protected and the operator would have some indication of
why no one is answering his CQ. Maybe a *red* light bulb?

One could also physically (not electrically) parallel the switches so there
were only two configurations. The rig connected to the antenna =OR= the rig
connected to the dummy and the antenna connected to ground. That would be cool.


Hi Hank,

Sounds like good advances toward full use of the two switches.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC