antenna lead got to close

[JimVT]

I was behind my place back in the timber and decided to transmit on high power.
antenna started flameing and stopped when it stopped transmitting.
75 watts

I was in my Polaris high lifter .
it hasn't done anything to my plastic roof and it lays tight aginst it.
jim

 

[Doc]

Whoops. Glad you caught it, and saw it before more damage happened.

 

[ki0ho]

A small lesson in RF theory..........try that at a 1000 watts....and realy have some fun!!!

 

[JimVT]

I carry a fire extinguisher now and am careful. some testing is needed but I may go down to 25 watts.
if it burned more I wonder if it would have damaged the radio.

 

[road squawker]

...and am careful....

Yeah, the radiating antenna looks to be about a foot from your head

I don't think the RF power level is the issue, It looks like the coax was rubbed for a while and finally wore down to the braid.

 

[mbsieg]

Please for the sake of those that love and care for you. http://hintlink.com/power_density.php

 

[JimVT]

looks like 5 watts would be ok.

 

[JimVT]

I run this for my 5 watt handheld. I need to hold it 5ft from me to be safe.

Please for the sake of those that love and care for you. http://hintlink.com/power_density.php

 

[road squawker]

looks like 5 watts would be ok.

actually, at power levels below 50 watts, all 2 meter FM operations are exempt, also, ALL mobile operations on any frequency are also exempted by bulletin 65.

but,..... I still would move or at least raise the antenna above the roofline.