Topband: Spark Gaps..

[donovanf at starpower.net]

Trailer hitch balls should work fine as a lightning arrestor.  Typically a trailer hitch ball has spherical sides and a flat top.  The two balls should be oriented so they the spherical surfaces are side-by-side and so that rain water and debris cannot bridge them. Ideally they should be shielded from rain and insects.  The gap should be adjustable, and it should be set to about the thickness of a credit card (1 to 2 mm).  

73
Frank
W3LPL

---- Original message ----
>Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2012 11:33:07 -0600
>From: DAVID CUTHBERT <telegrapher9 at gmail.com>  
>Subject: Re: Topband: Spark Gaps..  
>To: Robert Briggs <vk3zl at bigpond.com>
>Cc: topband at contesting.com
>
>Bob, that an excellent idea!
>
>Dave WX7G
>On Jul 28, 2012 6:06 PM, "Robert Briggs" <vk3zl at bigpond.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> Has anyone thought about using two trailer towing balls set up for a
>> spark gap?  I use this on a 90 foot insulated mast in a very lightning
>> prone environment....To date "(25)" years, with many direct hits, I have
>> sustained no damage...Mast is located 20 feet from my lounge room..
>>
>> 73..Bob..VK3ZL..
>> _______________________________________________
>> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>>
>_______________________________________________
>UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK