Several have asked what size pilot lamp to place between the antenna and
the RF input to the preamp. My two Yaesu FT-ONE's use a 14 volt 0.2 amp
lamp right at the T-R relay. I have experienced no failures in 17 years
with this arrangement. Lots of RF appears at this point when I am transmitting
on my verticals on 160 and 80m and receiving on my EWE. All three antennas
are less than 30' apart. (city dweller!) I was able to find the lamps
with pig-tails installed at a local hobby shop. Also Icom dial lamps work
nicely.
Apparently, the new "rice boxes" have no protection at all. I see horror
stories here and in print of RX RF coils turning to charcoal on a regular
basis. Too bad..the manufacturers saved 15 cents by dropping a sure-cure!
(((73)))
Phil, K5PC
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