[Amps] Grid Current Metering FL-2100B

[Steve Thompson]

VE6TI wrote:

> I was expecting to see a grid current of 0 ma with the operate- 
> standby switch  in the "operate position", exciter set to "on", which  
> grounds the FL2100B antenna relay,  but provides no drive from the  
> exciter.  Instead the meter indicted 160 ma of current.  I have  
> checked this current with two different meters.  One  a 1 ma meter of  
> internal resistance  86 ohms shunted with .44 ohms and the other with  
> a digital multi-meter.  The latter showed 158.5 ma.  I wonder where  
> this current is coming from?
> 
> Suspecting something else was wrong I recorded the following voltages:
> Plate voltage:  2300 volts.
> Grid RFC to ground (operate-standby switch in operate) with exciter  
> on standby:   -18.4 volts.
> Grid RFC to ground (operate-standby switch in operate) with exciter  
> on send, but not keyed:  -2.7 volts.

2.7V and 160mA implies a resistance of 16.8 ohms - at first sight it 
looks like the current is flowing equally through both 33R resistors. 
Have you checked all the decoupling caps?

Steve