Flex 6500 broken by static electricity

Den

Hi !
Our team is now in the expedition on North Pole. Yesterday we prepared a position sharply went heavy hail. Enough for 2 seconds and flex decreased sensitivity. There is no way to return to the mainland and send you to repair the radio. We had to open the radio and examine the generator and oscilloscope. We have found the item (IC73 on plate) in SC-70 package, which brought up the receiver chain to ground bus.

After removal of the defective item and reception sensitivity recovered. Can we at your own risk transfer radio transmission? Full repairs done when returning to the mainland.
Burnt element is - PE4259?
Tnx!

Steve-N5AC

QRX... checking... response within 30 min

Steve-N5AC

IC73 is not a PE4259, it is a TI ESD protection diode on the receive input. You can operate without this part, but it protects more expensive parts further down the line that are more expensive. There is still one more of these before you get to the ADC. I would probably operate without it, but try to protect the front end from any further ESD events.

Den

Carl K5HK

Use high resistance bleeder type lightning protection device so static will bleed off rather than damage the rig.

Den

Tnks!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks for the answer, you are very helpful, we will continue to work at your own risk. What type of diode TI ESD protection. When we return, we replace it by yourself, it will be easier for you and for us.
Thank you!

Andrew VK5CV

Or use loops or folded elements that are at ground potential for DC.

Andrew VK5CV

mikeatthebeach .

Quarter Wavelength Coaxial Stub at operating band Length of Coax

Grounded at one end while the other end goes to a 50 ohm Tee at Antenna Port will DC ground Input but allow RF out to protect Radio

Electrical Open at Radio but at end of Quarter WaveLength Stub is Shorted will help greatly !