Topband: Problems with my DX Engineering RTR-1 receive antenna switch

[GeorgeWallner]

On Tue, 25 Jun 2013 20:22:45 -0400
  "Mark Lunday" <mlunday at nc.rr.com> wrote:
> I am wondering what other folks do for their receive 
>antennas to protect
> their rigs.

Mark,

I always add the following to my RX System:

(Loop or Beverage) Use an isolation transformer. I add a 
relay at the tranformer's primary that disconnects the 
wire and shorts out the transformer when the station is 
off, or during transmit. A 75 V gas discharge arrester is 
also across the primary (high impedance side) of the 
transformer. I add common mode chokes and several turns of 
coax and then ground the RX Ant coax outer braid just past 
the common mode choke and also at the entrance to the 
house. I have a second common mode choke and gas discharge 
arrester at the antenna selector panel in the shack. I 
make sure that the grounding is good.

My TX verticals' base is grounded using motorized 
actuators connecting 1.5 inch wide grounding braids 
whenever the station is off. Additionally, a 15,000 V 
vacuum relay disconnects the antenna from the antenna 
tuner.

Sounds excessive? Before I had all these measures I would 
lose an RX input or parts of the antenna tuner a couple of 
times a year. My QTH is in Florida and I take direct hits 
a couple of times a year. I have learned these tricks the 
hard way!

An absolute overkill is about the only way you have a 
chance if your QTH is in a place where you get hit often.

73 and GL,

George,
AA7JV