Ahem -- You can take Bill Cromwell's guidance to the bank.?
I used a 3amp fuse, and discarded the diode.? The way I figure it, every single power source in my house (and my zip code) has center pin positive (+) and the sleeve or shank or outside is negative (-).? So I have no fear of reversing the power.?
But I do have well founded fear of screwing things up, so the fuse is essential protection from fat fingering, lapse in judgement, intemperate decision making, lack of impulse control, or nature's choice of the moment to humiliate you (me).? If there is a wire or screwdriver or plug that can go where it shouldn't, then the cosmic forces of nature will ensure it goes there. It's like my daily dose of humiliation.?
So fuse up and get on the air.
By the way, when you get there, your uBITX is a perfect radio to send digital (sound card-based) modes. The native 10W will do wonders to get your around the world when conditions are good.
Don
km4udx
