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I've been searching the archives, and google, but can't seem to find a source for antenna discharge units (Radio Shack doesn't have them). I live outside of Austin Texas in the hill country, we have some great radio here, but also the meanest damned thunderstorms I've ever seen. I've had a couple of nearby trees hit, and many strikes each year where the flash and boom are simultaneous. Nearly knocked me off the couch several times, so really am concerned.I think I need two types, one for the RG11 I'm using for my antenna run, and another for the three wire run for the antenna rotator. Anyone help me out?
Follow Ups:
I ground my antenna mast. Used #6 copper & because of my sandy loam soil, I used two 8 foot ground rods 20 feet apart.
Three lightning strikes in 10 years. One was front yard, one was the power pole and other went over the top of my house on an almost horizontal route hitting the ground in the back yard. That strike turned on the kitchen lights when they were switched off & burned all the lamps out. My outdoor antenna was about twenty feet away, yet the lightning went by the antenna to a longer path hitting the ground. Tallest tree on my property was less than 10 foot high.My friend had his ham radio vertical antenna vaporized (found nothing) twice on the same antenna tower in three years. He revised his system after the second strike and has a manual disconnect box outside of his house. He disconnects the coax and takes that coax from the box to about 30 feet away when not using the radios.
The best source for this info is the Ham radio people. Look for the latest edition of the ARRL Handbook.You can also try to google these:
1. Alpha Delta Communications
2. The Wireman
3. Industrial Communications Engineers, Ltd.
4. Polyphaser Corporation
5. Rohn ( THE tower people )
6. Zero Surge Inc.I am sure there are more but this should help you in the right direction.
well I bought two from Tandy as run-out specials here in Aussie, and thay are branded Tandy.Look very like the first one below.
I too live in a strike-prone area!
Lotsa water underground and a steep hill to the East, and weather is primarily s/w!
I'd get oen where you can replace the capsule, tho" I think the thing may survive one stroke, they do claim repeat strike capability,
Repaet strokes ARE common mind!
WarmestTimbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger'Still not saluting.'
Read about and view system at:
I assume you mean the grounding block. Any satelite or cable (frys has them)supplier will have them. It's just two connectirs with a ground lug.Be sure you ground it to a steak driven into the ground at least 24", preferably 36 0r more.If you have copper pipes you can ground it to an outdoor faucet.
Do Not ground lightning strike protector to house-hold water pipes (outdoor faucet leads right inside), nor to only a couple feet long stake. Always use an industry approved 8-foot length copper-clad rod intended for this purpose (get one from your local power company). Alternative to a discharge block & safer, the antenna feed may be direct-connected to the ground rod manually during time of storms, thus totally dis-connected from indoor feed.
You're right, the short ground rod is dangerous. I might add that if you drive a dedicated 8' ground rod for your antenna, that it should be at least 6' away from your service ground rod, and bonded to the service ground rod.If memory serves, the NEC allows water pipes for ground, if they are burried for at least 10 feet (I think), and is used as your service ground as well. If using a ground rod for your service ground, the burried water pipe can be bonded to the service ground rod, this would be a better ground. Even better to tie the whole thing together with the rebar in your slab or foundation, if available.
Bonding any 2 or more grounds is necessary to insure there is no difference in ground potential, which could induce unwanted relative voltages.
Here is one for about 20$75 ohm and 0.4 db insertion loss.
http://altelicon.zoovy.com/product/AL-FFFF
cheers
paba
nice to know where to get them lil ol metal gas filled buttons.
And that there IS a standard one.
WarmestTimbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger'Still not saluting.'
Read about and view system at:
or this one...www.pdi-eft.com/htmlandflash/main_surgender.html
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