[TowerTalk] Lightning Arrestors

[Marinus Willemstijn]

Basically protect my radios to such an extent that I do not have to unplug
for every stray bit of lightning. I have insurance but un plugging becomes a
drag for me in our rainy season (Summer). Basically first line of defense
for the radios. 

Marinus
ZS6MAW

-----Original Message-----
From: jimlux [mailto:jimlux at earthlink.net] 
Sent: 28 Februarie 2009 16:43
To: willemma at telkomsa.net
Cc: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Lightning Arrestors

Marinus Willemstijn wrote:
> Maybe this is general knowledge but could someone please direct me to some
> information on lightning arrestors for my coaxial lines running to the
> tower. I need some information like:
> 
>  
> 
> 1)      Is there a specific distance they should be installed form the
shack
> or tower?

> 
> 2)      Which are the most effective and best value for money?
> 
>  
> 
> Thank you in advance for your response and my apologies if this is off
> topic.
> 


a) Are you trying to meet a regulatory requirement (electrical code 
requires specific types of antenna discharge units)

b) what are you protecting? The house from burning down? The radios from 
getting damaged? The coax from being damaged?

c) Are you protecting against a direct strike, or against induced 
currents/potentials from a nearby strike.

d) do you have any "availability" or "mean time to repair" requirements?

(For instance, if you can be off the air, and you don't have a lot of 
lightning, maybe spending the money on an insurance policy that will 
replace the gear is a better strategy.  If you're a mission critical 
comm facility used for air traffic control during thunderstorms, then a 
different approach is probably needed.)