Steve:
The rigrunner is a DC power strip with multiple Anderson power pole
connections that I have everything in the station connected to.
So, when I tune up the amp on 14.258 with the DXCC antenna and key the rig,
everything shuts off. There must be a protective circuit in the Rig Runner
that senses something it doesn't like.
That's why I toyed around with the idea of grounding the rig runner itself,
and putting an RF choke or two on the power leads, to see if that made a
difference.
The counterpoise solution is also a good one, which I'll try if my other
strategies don't work.
73 from Tom behler: KB8TYJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 11:40 AM
Subject: Re: interesting RF problem in the shack
Try running a ground of a quarter-wave from the rig running around the
shack.
Or, if it is a RigRunner issue, try taking it out of the circuit until you
need it for Digital modes.
----- Original Message -----
From: "tom behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 8:58 PM
Subject: interesting RF problem in the shack
> Hi, all.
>
> Well, I know I'm going to get varying opinions on this one, but that's ok,
> since I'm looking for a number of possible alternative causes and
> solutions.
>
> As many of you know, I have gone back to using my Alpha Delta DXCC antenna
> as my HF antenna, until my Windom, which took a dump on Saturday, can be
> resurrected.
>
> The DXCC works great on 40 meters with both 100 wattts, and my Ameritron
> AL811H amplifier. However, when I went to do the Cross-Country blind ops
> net on 14.258 yesterday, I had an interesting experience. Things worked
> great with 100 watts, but when I kicked the amplifier in, and tried
> running
> things on the usual 600 watts, I ran into problems. As soon as I keyed
> the
> mic, the protective circuit in my Rigrunner tripped, and everything in my
> station went silent.
>
> I have no other indications of RFI anywhere else in the house or the
> shack.
> In addition, my SWR's are good with the DXCC on 20 meters (about 1.5 to 1)
> without the tuner, and obviously just as good with the manual tuner. I
> use
> my usual procedure to tune the amp, and everything works there as well,
> giving me forward and reflected power readings I would expect.
>
> Could anyone tell me what you think is going on here? Do I still have a
> grounding issue of sorts, even though I've gotten no indication of
> grounding
> issues with other applications?
>
> Other than reducing power, is there anything anyone can suggest for me to
> do
> to try to solve this problem.
>
> I was thinking of grounding the Rigrunner by connecting a ground cable
> from
> the cover of the Rigrunner to my common station ground, but just haven't
> gotten to it yet.
>
> It's just a strange problem, and only seems to occur on 20 meters with the
> amp. I never had the problem at all out in Colorado, where I had no
> station
> grounding system at all.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
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