[TowerTalk] Lightning Protection for Orion Rotor

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

Oops...That should have been three strikes per summer for the first 6 
years it was up although the 6th year only two were verified with no damage.

Computer Cat 5 network was something else, but in over 55 years as a ham 
I've never had rotator problems from lightning. Water was a different issue.

73

Roger (K8RI)

On 12/23/2016 9:41 PM, Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:
> NOTE this is not a suggestion that protection is not needed as many 
> can attest.
>
> Although I ground the coax at the top and bottom of the tower, I have 
> never used any form of lightning protection on the rotator cable, or 
> control box.
>
> I've mentioned before that the tower was taking at least three 
> strikes(visually verified by neighbors).  Weather proofing and plating 
> was blown off a number of connectors, but no problems for the rotator 
> which was 10-15' down, inside the tower.
>
> Rotator cable and coax ran together for about 175 feet.
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
> n 12/23/2016 12:16 PM, William Saulnier wrote:
>> At the risk of starting yet another discussion of lightning 
>> protection in
>> general I do have the following specific question.
>>
>> In addition to an overall sound design for grounding, etc. is there a
>> significant advantage to having rotor control line surge suppressors 
>> at the
>> top of the tower? I have read that its a good idea to ground the mast to
>> the tower to bypass the rotor and I was already planning to have
>> suppressors on the control lines at the bottom of the tower and at the
>> entry to the radio room. The intent would be to have better 
>> protection for
>> the rotor itself especially its apparently sensitive reed switch.
>>
>> Thanks.
>> Bill N5VR
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
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>
>


-- 

73

Roger (K8RI)