[TowerTalk] Cushcraft Lightning Arrestor

[Bob Wanderer]

Yes.
Most of the energy in a lightning strike is at dc and that's what causes the
bulk of the damage. By dc blocking (which was a patent held by the PolyPhaser
Corp until this past November) you prevent the major culprit from getting through.
Otherwise, you share energy with the input stage of your equipment. One major
manufacturer of lightning surge protectors (not dc blocked) actually has in their
literature the statement to the effect that if your equipment can tolerate up to 400
volts of surge voltage, their device will protect your equipment. Can ham gear
handle that? Doubtful.

Now that Poly's patent has expired, dc blocking will become de rigeuer in any
portector worthy of the name. Initially, I think Poly will still have an advantage
because, like Amoco with unleaded gas before unleaded gas became the norm,
they don't have any learning curve to go through. Unfortunately, however, Poly's
management are now totally uninterested in the ham market although one distributor,
W.R. Block in southern NJ (800 421 7170), will assist hams with product and technical
help. Ron Block is a ham and also Roger Block's brother (Roger founded Poly).

73,
Bob Wanderer AA0CY
formerly Senior Applications Engineer for PolyPhaser Corp.
Now RF Systems Test Engineer for Thomas & Betts Communications

----------
From:  Tom Rauch[SMTP:10eesfams2mi@mail20.MCIONE.com]
Sent:  Thursday, May 07, 1998 12:01 AM
To:  towertalk@contesting.com
Subject:  Re: [TowerTalk] Cushcraft Lightning Arrestor

> Date:          Wed, 06 May 1998 11:04:45 -0400
> From:          "J.P. Kleinhaus" <w2xx@cloud9.net>

> > Quick question.  Does anybody know if the Cushcraft Lightning arrestor
> > blocks DC?  
> 
> A better question to ask is does the Cushcraft arrestor block
> lightning? :-)

OK, I'll take the bait.

I've seen that dc blocking stuff mentioned. Is it supposed to 
have something to do with lightning protection?

73, Tom W8JI
w8ji.tom@MCIONE.com

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