[RFI] Comparing Lightning Arrestors?

[K8RI]

On 5/16/2011 8:48 PM, myles landstein wrote:
> While I understand what you are saying,  "Nothing will protect from a direct hit'  , and of course  recommend disconnecting ...
With lightning you are playing the odds.  when the station was here in 
the den  it was difficult to disconnect much in a reasonable time. All 
the computers are on a wired network including two in the shop at the 
ends of 133' runs of CAT6. One in the house and one in the shop are 
directly connected to the stations and by the wired network so are the 
other 3 through the two computers.

  Since the tower went up and the ground system was installed the tower 
has taken at least 17 visually verified direct strikes with no damage, 
although things on top are getting a bit etched.

It's true that nothing will offer 100% protection, but it's not true 
that nothing will protect you from a direct hit. OTOH there are just too 
many variables including the magnitude of the lightning bolt.

> But  I disagree,  their have been  stations both amateur and commercial  that have survived several direct hits   ,  they were simply designed  properly.
>
> Doesn't mean they  can't  ever be damaged,  but with some well designed lightning protection  you can save your gear (and perhaps yourself) from damage on those days disconnecting has been overlooked.
>
> Proper protection will cost   more then 5$  but not a ton of money vs   the  havoc lightning  can cause,  a good  investment.  don't give up

I have a "ground system" that ties into a single point ground. The 
system consists of 32 or 33 8' ground rods cad welded(TM) to over 600 
feet of bare #2 copper.  That was before the price of copper tripled.<:-))

73

Roger (K8RI)
> cheers
>
> N2EHG
>
>
> On May 16, 2011, at 7:58 PM, , wrote:
>
>> I have ICE here, but if I didn't have it, I would consider building my own.  Nothing will protect from a direct lightening strike except for disconnecting everything, including the ground OR a superior grounding installation such as at<http://www.w8ji.com/station_ground.htm>.  Disconnecting everything is what I do.
>>
>> For just static buildup then a simple resistor to ground might be all you need.
>>
>> Look for the static bleeders article, it is in PDF.  The resistors noted in this article are about $5, available at<www.mouser.com>.
>>
>> <http://www.ad5x.com/articles.htm>
>>
>> 73
>> Dale, k9vuj
>>
>>
>> On 16, May 2011, at 18:11, doc at kd4e.com wrote:
>>
>>> Has anyone compared lightning arrestors?
>>>
>>> With ICE out of the market for a while I am in need of
>>> a HF+6m device that is rated to full-legal and passes
>>> DC control signals/voltage (I have a Heath HD-1480).
>>>
>>> As far as I know the Polyphasers all block DC.
>>>
>>> So far I am aware of only two that meet my requirements:
>>>
>>> Array Solutions: Hofi LP1103-2800  $84. each.
>>>
>>> Randl.com:  Jetstream 1.5-200MHz ARRESTOR 8kWPEP/4kWDC
>>> (I E-mailed them last night to affirm that it passes
>>> DC control signals/voltage, no reply yet.)  $42. each.
>>>
>>> QUESTIONS:
>>>
>>> 1.  Are there others?
>>>
>>> 2.  Why might one be better than the other?
>>>
>>> 3.  Does passing DC create a weakness that could result
>>> 	in damage?
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
>>>
>>> Thanks!&  73, KD4E
>>> David Colburn http://kd4e.com
>>> Have an http://ultrafidian.com day
>>> I don't google I SEARCH!  STARTPAGE.com
>>> Shop Freedom-Friendly http://kd4e.com/of.html
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