Perhaps it deserves saying the obvious: DO NOT USE FOAM CONTAINERS FOR ELECTRONIC PARTS!! (Unless, perhaps, you're working with vacuum tubes <G>)
Expanded foam in any form is a wonderful static generator. It doesn't take enough static to see or feel a spark to destroy parts, only enough to exceed the part's operating voltages (especially insulation breakdown voltage). That is often well below that at which a human is even aware there is a static charge present. I suppose one might argue that keeping the leads of sensitive parts stuck in the conductive foam protects them, but I tend to be conservative. It's bad enough troubleshooting to find a defective part when power is first applied, but static-damaged parts sometimes still work, somewhat, so the rig just doesn't meet normal specs and the operator may be completely unaware of it. And then the part may fail prematurely at some later date (just as you're calling that rare DX you need or about to start a contest session). I, too, like the Optivisor. I like that it's not coupled to my light source and it's very lightweight and portable. I went for the name brand: I've too often found defective lenses in cheap magnifiers. It's a chance one takes buying cheap: sometimes it's fine, sometimes not, and sometimes you don't know until you can compare the expensive product side-by-side with the cheap. (Just like comparing your completed K2 with most of the other HF rigs out there <G>). Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
