[TowerTalk] Spark Plug again

[Sylvan Katz]

> A spark plug will not handle the tremendous current generated during a

> lightning strike. It would handle induced surges from nearby strikes
on open
> wire feedlines, at much lower magnitudes, and perhaps small streamer
> discharges on your tower, but my intuition tells me it would be
handily
> melted away by even the smallest of direct strikes.

I can get used spark plugs from a near by garage for nothing. I would
put one at the base of each leg and tie them to a common ground.  If one
melted away it
would be simple to replace and I suspect I would have 1 or 2 left to
hold me over until I got a replacement. Also, I have a number of  clamps
for
using on a galvanized ground rod. They just fit around a tower leg. It
seems that this protection system would be very cheap to fabricate and
operate .... oh the base of my tower is only 15' from the  back door so
it is easy to access. Would this work? OTOH --- would the resistive
component of the spark plug cause any problems?

> so that the TowerTalk archives will carry people's ideas. The more we
post
> to the reflector, the more people can learn from searches.

TT has been VERY helpful. It is the first time I have put up a tower.
Having so many experienced people to ask for their ideas is ideal. I
would like to thank
all of you who have sent me fine suggestions over the past couple of
months.

tnx ... sylvan

--
Sylvan Katz
Saskatoon, Sask
VE5ZX & G0TZX



--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com