Review on 🔌 Enhanced Performance: RTL-SDR Blog Wideband Low Noise Amplifier with Bias Tee Power by Everald Mendez

This LNA is easily damaged by ESD and should have ESD protection on the input when used with an antenna that does not have a loop that otherwise does could cause a short circuit such as a bent dipole, J-pole or balun in front of the input. Examples of antennas that can have an ESD problem are discons, long wires and dipoles - any antenna where the two legs of the antenna cannot "short". from any electrostatic charge. The static reaches a point where it can arc and burn out the amplifier chip. After disassembling the LNA, I saw what looked like a protective shunt diode, but that wasn't enough. I watched it being destroyed in a storm in real time - I didn't even hear the thunder (yet) and it was gone either by lightning over 15 miles away or by wind/rain around the antenna. My first suspicion was that water had seeped through my weatherproof case that I was using, but it was completely dry when I analyzed it with no sign of corrosion. The chip appears to have failed due to a short circuit as the LNA felt hot to the touch after the failure. It was also a very effective LNA: ADS-B at 200+ miles every day hit a decent rooftop diamond disk with the LNA mounted as close as possible to the antenna on the mast.