What technique helps to minimize RF “hot spots” in an amateur station?

RF "hot spots" occur when stray radio frequency energy builds up on the metal chassis of your station equipment, creating areas of high RF voltage. This can lead to painful RF burns if you touch the radio, or it can cause erratic behavior in your station accessories. To prevent these varying voltage potentials, you should bond all equipment enclosures together using a short, wide conductor like copper strap. This ensures that all components in your station remain at the exact same RF potential, effectively short-circuiting any stray voltage differences. Placing low-pass filters on feed lines only manages emissions radiating from the antenna, and surge suppressors only protect against AC power spikes. Neither of these addresses stray RF energy flowing across the exterior of your equipment.