[TowerTalk] Grounding Issues and spark plugs?

[Bob Wanderer]

Spark gaps have been used as surge suppressors.  In fact, the
gas tubes used by PolyPhaser, Alpha-Delta, etc. are spark gaps.
Spark gaps in free air, such as the spark plugs you discuss, will work
but suffer from reliability problems such as the breakdwon voltage changes
depending on tempreaturte, humidity, and related matters.  It is also dependent
on the gap itself and this gap changes as the device does its thing (which is why 
you periodically regap spark plugs in your automobile).  The gas-enclosed devices
suffer only from a slightly elevated breakdown voltage issue.

Anyway, the biggest issue would be how many plugs do you want to 
employ and how do you want to employ them?  Remember that the 
gap is between the center conductor of the coaxial cable to ground.  You 
also need to verify that the plug won't fire in the presence of RF (RFI will 
be caused while the spark plug is activated, but it will go unnoticed with the 
thunder and lightning occurring.  A gas tube breaks down around 600~1500 
Volts and the spark lasts for such a very short time.  

Still, try a set up and test it out.  There are many testing labs around qualified
to verify whether the lash up is doing its job.  Maybe you can put everybody else
out of business!

73
Bob AA0CY

----------
From:  Donald E. Stiles[SMTP:goodnews@cmedic.net]
Sent:  Friday, March 10, 2000 7:12 AM
To:  tower talk; Bob Wanderer
Subject:  Re: [TowerTalk] Grounding Issues and spark plugs?

Robt.

Understanding your background, have you ever looked at automotive spark
plugs in a grounding network?  I've had good results.  Maybe the "AUTO" in
them scares the lighting away, or the spark pluggs have diverted (SHUNTED)
any of this high potential static electricity into my ground.

I thought it had some application and it seems to work.  Any additional
thoughts?  D'Ham cheap, too.

73 de n8csp k
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Wanderer" <aa0cy@VRINTER.NET>
To: "'Tower Reflector'" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2000 5:54 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Grounding Issues


>
> I'm kinda sorta established in my new digs near Philadelphia, PA.
> I'll be reading the mail in case I can assist in answering grounding and
surge
> suppression questions.
>
> 73
> Bob AA0CY
> former PolyPhaser Sr Appl Engr
>
>
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