Topband: spark gap construction ideas for 160m tower

[Paul Christensen]

Here's a DIY article from Jeff Welton at Nautel:  

http://support.nautel.com/tips-n-tricks/how-to-make-roll-your-own-carbon-ball-gaps/

The carbon spheres that Jeff mentions are made by Ross Engineering.  Not sure of the cost, but may be worth considering:

https://www.rossengineeringcorp.com/products/isolation/toroids-spheres-corona-nuts.html

Paul, W9AC

-----Original Message-----
From: Topband <topband-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of GEORGE WALLNER
Sent: Monday, October 7, 2019 9:10 AM
To: Jeff Blaine <KeepWalking188 at ac0c.com>; topband <topband at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: spark gap construction ideas for 160m tower

Jeff,
I use stainless steel acorn nuts on the ends of matching screws. Not a complete ball, but the facing surfaces are rounded.
George,
AA7JV




On Sun, 6 Oct 2019 13:27:58 -0500
  Jeff Blaine <KeepWalking188 at ac0c.com> wrote:
> I need to add a spark gap of some sort onto my full-size 160m insulated-base tower.  Looking for ideas.
>
> Making the spark gap is simple.  What has me asking for ideas is the weather element - we have a lot of snow, ice, rain here and a spark gap needs to keep that stuff off.  But put a little cover over it, right?  Well, yes but if the cover is not fully enclosed, then you have wasps and spiders making nests there.  If it's enclosed, then you have condensation and ants.
>
> I like the idea of W8JI's two balls close to each other - the surface area is large so accumulated pitting won't change the spacing and thus the BDV much.  And the water will drain off away from the contact points.  But what does a guy make that out of if he does not have a set of brass balls in his junkbox.
>
> 73/jeff/ac0c
> alpha-charlie-zero-charlie
> www.ac0c.com <http://www.ac0c.com> 
>
>
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