Topband: Spark gaps

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

What is the condition of your 160m radials after the lightning strike?  73,
Guy.

On Fri, Jul 27, 2012 at 7:48 PM, N2TK, Tony <tony.kaz at verizon.net> wrote:

> As a side note, last night when the storm came barreling in with very
> strong
> winds I was watching the tower as the elements whipped around. Bang! First
> time I saw a direct hit on the tower. Had spots in my eyes for a while.
> Tower is about 150' from the kitchen window.
>
> I had everything tuned off but I never disconnect anything.
> Was anxious when I turned on things this morning. Everything is fine except
> the fuse blew on the Prosistel when I turned it on. Replaced the fuse and
> everything is now fine.
> I guess my ground system is working. Couldn't find any burn marks anywhere
> inside or at the tower. With no visual or electrical damage maybe the tower
> has been hit before?
>
> By the way the tower is grounded and I shunt feed it for 160M.
>
> 73,
> N2TK, Tony
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: topband-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:
> topband-bounces at contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of donovanf at starpower.net
> Sent: Friday, July 27, 2012 10:58 AM
> To: topband
> Subject: Re: Topband: Spark gaps
>
> An air gap using one to two inch diameter balls with only a one or two
> millimeter gap provides a nearly uniform field resulting in the fastest
> breakdown at repeatable and fairly breakdown voltages but capable of
> withstanding kilowatt transmitter power levels.
>
> Ordinary carbon steel balls used in architectural applications should
> provide adequate protection if they are inspected -- and replaced if
> necessary -- after a lightning strike.  For example, Wagner Industrial
> sells
> two inch diameter threaded steel balls for $11.00 each.  There may be
> alternative sources.
>
>
> http://www.shopwagnerb2c.com/SPHERES/SPHERES_ST?categoryId=315e03cf-4f11-4ed
> 9-8e89-9fea015509e5&filters=&sortby=1&page=1&pageSize=10&criteria=
>
> Very hard steel balls such as carbon or tungsten are ideal for withstanding
> multiple lightning strikes without need for inspection and replacement, but
> at higher cost.
>
> The balls should be aligned in the horizontal plane, to ensure rain, do not
> bridge the gap.  Preferably, the balls should be installed in a
> weather/insect/rhodent proof enclosure.
>
> 73
> Frank
> W3LPL
>
>
> ---- Original message ----
> >Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:09:16 -0400
> >From: "Tom W8JI" <w8ji at w8ji.com>
> >Subject: Topband: Spark gaps
> >To: "topband" <topband at contesting.com>
> >
> >Has anyone looked at, or looked for, cheap electric fence gaps??
> >
> >My system copper pipes near tower legs work great for me on rigid
> >towers, I can bend them so they spring away from the tower and then
> >slide an inner pipe in or out to set gap distance. I'm thinking of gaps
> for
> wire antennas.
> >
> >Maybe something is good from some other application that is a good bit
> >better than a spark plug.
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>