[BC] Hot and grounded chassis

[Rich Wood]

------ At 01:31 AM 8/11/2006, Glen Kippel wrote: -------

>This is mentioned in the "The Doctor is IN" column in the August 2006 issue
>of QST.  Yes, it is advisable to fuse the positive lead right at the battery
>so that a short to ground between the battery and the rig won't set fire to
>the car, garage, house, etc.

I haven't installed my transceiver in my new car, yet, but I've 
always read and been advised to fuse the line directly at the 
battery. The current is so high you'd never have time to get a fire 
extinguisher or disconnect a powered up line before the insulation 
has caught fire. It interesting to watch a cable melt in seconds.

You'll also notice that most transceivers fuse both sides of the 
line. The antenna becomes a power conductor if the real one fails.

Rich

Rich Wood
Rich Wood Multimedia
Phone: 413-454-3258