[TenTec] TEN-TEC shack photos [flat braid; antenna switch]

[GARY HUBER]

I second Bob's last comment. Better to provide a LOW impedance path to 
ground outside with gas tube or arc gap low impedance paths to ground 
outside, then high impedance (to the AC component of lightning) paths via 
drip loops and choke sleeves to the inside as commonly executed in 
commercial antenna entrance cable protection installations.


73 ES DX,
Gary -- AB9M
-----Original Message----- 
From: Bob McGraw - K4TAX
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 7:51 AM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] TEN-TEC shack photos [flat braid; antenna switch]

The method suggested by Bob McGraw is to have each piece of equipment on the
desk connected to a common point, preferably the station power supply ground
terminal.  I use #10 AWG automotive primary wire for this application.  Lugs
on each end are crimped and then soldered.  One jumper for each piece of
equipment to the common point or ground lug on the station supply.

On lightning protection, this should be outside of the house using devices
such as Alpha Delta systems, Polyphaser or arc gaps and these should be
applied to all feedlines and rotor control cables.  Be sure the ground
system for the station or tower is bonded back to the AC mains ground and
this should be done outside of the house.

NEVER invite lightning into the house with the idea of running it to ground.

73
Bob, K4TAX





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gene Story - Earthlink" <gfstory at earthlink.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 1:57 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] TEN-TEC shack photos [flat braid; antenna switch]


> My picture does not show where the braid connects and others might like to
> know the rest of the story.  I am definitely interested in feedback.
>
> While I want to insure optimum path for a potential lightning hit, I did
> have some worries that bonding these switches directly to my station
> ground would be more of a hinderance as a ground loop path.  Presently
> that large flat braid goes to a small bar with two automotive spark plugs
> threaded on it.  The tip-caps of these spark plugs connect to my station
> ground.
>
> The idea is that I have not set myself up with a potential ground loop,
> rather I have a high impedance situation with the spark plug gap under
> normal circumstances.  An abnormally high energy situation may jump the
> plug-gaps, in the hopes of shunting what could otherwise be damaging to
> equipment through other paths.
>
> I admit not having enough theoretical background to know if what I
> assembled is a sound idea.  I put this together because the parts were
> at-hand/easily fabricated, and this went together in a jiffy. But in the
> interests of performing reasonable protection for equipment and operator
> inside the station, have I set myself up for more negative than positive
> results with the spark gap?  And if this is plausible, would it be better
> for each switch to have individual (direct or spark-gapped) paths as I
> have with each piece on the desktop back which is patterned after Bob
> McGraw's recommendations for grounding?
>
> Gene  /  K7TXO
>
>
> On Apr 29, 2012, at 10:29 AM, Merschrod wrote:
>
>> The shack photos are interesting all right.  I liked the flat braid
>> ground
>> straps into an antenna switch cabinet.
>>
>> BUT  what is that neat little paddle under OZ1BII's Eagle?  I can't make
>> out the manufacturer's name.
>>
>> Kris KM2KM
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