Speculation needed Amp no worky right on 40 meters

[Mudfoot]

I was in the midst of a 40 meter QSO last night on 40 meters. I was using my ELAD running 250 watts thru my RM Italy HLA-300v. Everything was as normal, until I felt an exquisite burning sensation on my left finger. It hurt like hell!

After I nursed my burn, I investigated and found that my amp only puts out 125 watts on 40. Rest of bands are full output. I didn't smell any poof. This amp is only a month old. It still has the warranty sticker, so I'm not looking inside

Any ideas what happened. I haven't researched, but does RM Italy have a Stateside warranty center?

Haven't had a burn like that for a very long time.

 

[Low_Boy]

What was your finger touching?

 

[Mudfoot]

CW paddles

 

[Tallman]

There are one distributors in the US, http://www.rmitaly.us/index.php?main_page=about_us. It is DNJ radio I believe.

 

[nomadradio]

Don't ship it off until you try it with a dummy load.

Makes it sound as if the 40-meter antenna could be the actual culprit.

73

 

[Mudfoot]

Sorry, I didn't mention it. That was first thing I did. I really want to open it up, but not sure if they'll ding me for breaking the seal.

Everything had been working fine. No changes in station or technique. Running close to 7-8 watts input. Nothing was touching anything else. I dug out my older HLA-150 and it works like it should. I don't smell anything burnt.

 

[autotuner]

40m filter took a dive? Not familiar with the amp, do you switch bands manually?

 

[Mudfoot]

Usually auto sensing with key line.

 

[autotuner]

But you can select manually? Maybe sensing selected wrong filter for 40.

 

[Mudfoot]

Possibly

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

RF burn? Maybe the filter shorted to ground and you became the load? Is your station grounded?

 

[Mudfoot]

Yes, an adequate ground exists.