Lucky no one was holding the meter when it when off!
My teacher was called the
Johnson Viking Challenger (HF Ham Transmitter).
You can see the little ma meter (mili-Amp meter) on the right top.
In this picture from the rear with cover off, the meter is on the left.. With Orange Disc Bypass caps on each side.
Anyways, the year was 1968 or 69, when I was about 22 years old.
Just received Novice ham ticket and figured I could adjust the little
trimmer cap underneath the deck, just below the ma meter.
Never thinking that those meter posts were sitting at 850vdc with about 400 ma available..
I carefully tweaked the trimmer left-handed, with a long skinny little green Xcelite screwdriver.
I was it transmit mode, watching the ma meter.
Carelessly, my upper right right arm touched the backside of my large D104 microphone.
(it was at ground potential).
At that exact instant, my left forefinger slipped down and came in contact with the 850 B+.
I think the point of contact was the solder lugs holding the bypass caps..
I saw the light. I don't remember much, but it appears I did a back-flip out
of my chair and slammed into the door about 8 feet behind me.
I slid down the door to the floor before waking.
When I awoke, I was unable to lift either arm.
It's not easy to get up off the floor, without the use of your arms.
So, I sat there.. For maybe an hour..
But a short while later, the numbness began to leave, replaced by pain.
It took a long time for feeling to return to my right arm.
And it when it did, it was excruciating!
So, I learned my lesson. I don't really recall being shocked since then.
The next day, I went out and got some long nylon tuning tools.
Much better than steel screwdrivers..
haha! I can't remember what I had for lunch today, but I sure can recall that
afternoon over 40 years ago..