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Re: [TowerTalk] Lightning Arrestors

To: willemma@telkomsa.net
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Lightning Arrestors
From: "Roger (K8RI)" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:46:20 -0500
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>

Marinus Willemstijn wrote:
> Maybe this is general knowledge but could someone please direct me to some
> information on lightning arrestors for my coaxial lines running to the
> tower. I need some information like:
>
>   
There are notes put out by all the manufacturers, but remember they are 
put out by people who sell these things.

>  
>
> 1)      Is there a specific distance they should be installed form the shack
> or tower?
>
>   
I *ground* the shield at both the top and bottom of the tower.  I put 
the polyphasers at the grounded bulkhead where the cables enter the 
house. http://www.rogerhalstead.com/ham_files/cablebox.htm (This page 
needs updating and the grounding shown in 4th image from the top or 
second on the left has been enlarged).  Putting the protector here means 
it will see less of a spike than one at the tower so it won't have to 
work as hard. It also grounds the shield just before it gets to the 
equipment.  The ground rods on the ground line are all part of the over 
all tower grounding system. 
> 2)      Which are the most effective and best value for money?
>   
The most for the money is probably grounding the shield at the base of 
the tower with a minimum of 3 ground rods  a few feet out from the base 
of the tower. Then installing a grounding plate where ever the coax 
enters the house. My next step would be to expand the tower ground 
system first by making sure the ground for the bulkhead at the house 
entrance is tied into the tower ground. Then I'd expand the tower ground 
as much as practical.   With this 
http://www.rogerhalstead.com/ham_files/Tower29.htm on top of a 100' 
tower I have a rather elaborate ground system under it. (32 or 33 ground 
rods cad welded to over 600 feet of bare #2) Not shown are the slopers 
for 160, 75 (2), and 40 (2). This system has was taking an average of 3 
hits per year for the first 5 years, but none recently. After installing 
the ground system I've had no equipment damage and I rarely disconnect 
anything.  The main reason being the cables are too hard to get to. 

In my shop I have a patch panel so disconnecting out there is simple. 
OTOH unless it's a really active storm, or I'm not going to be using 
that station for a while.

I think the choice between ICE and Polyphaser is more of a personal 
choice than one of effectiveness, but I have used Polyphasers. Others on 
here prefer the ICE protectors.

73 and good luck.

Roger (K8RI)
> Thank you in advance for your response and my apologies if this is off
> topic.
>
>  
>
> Marinus
>
> ZS6MAW
>
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