[TowerTalk] Stainless steel wool source?

[KDM]

This is purely "anecdotal evidence" of why you may want to consider using
steel wool vs plastic scrubbers of fiberglass in pvc entry pipes.

Decades ago, my Elmer told me to use steel wool since it could act as an RF
choke if you had a lightning strike.  I've been doing it ever since.

I've had three direct hits on my towers over the past 30 years.  The latest
was last Monday.

Due to great protection, everything survived except my weather station on
the tower.  Current jumped from the tower to the sensor lines.  The entire
line was vaporized until it reached the steel wool-stuffed pvc entry pipe.
At this point, the steel wool became a welded blob, but the line survived
and didn't burn inside the house.  There was, however, enough current to
blow out the wall wart that powered the sensors.

I'll continue to use the steel wool when I replace the sensors this week.

Ken Moak, WA2JQW/8
Urbana, OH 

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of ersmar at comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 2:45 PM
To: Paul at PaulFerguson.us; TOWERTALK at contesting.com
Cc: Paul Ferguson
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Stainless steel wool source?

Paul:

     Must the material be metallic?  If not, you might want to consider
simple fiberglass insulation batting.  (I'm assuming you want the material
to plug the PVC where coax cables emerge.)  I used insulation for years to
block the opening in my clothes drier vent that I used as the covering for
the coax cable access hole into my shack.  

73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Paul Ferguson" <Paul at PaulFerguson.us>
> I am looking for some stainless steel wool. I need enough to plug the 
> ends of two 4-inch PVC pipes.
> 
> I have tried some hardware stores and restaurant supply places locally 
> but haven't found any.
> 
> I searched the Internet -- I can buy a 5 pound roll for about $50-60 
> plus shipping.
> 
> Can anyone suggest other sources for smaller amounts that might have 
> it?
> 
> 73,
> Paul
> K5ESW
> Raleigh, NC