Len, I am not certain why you want only off reflector replies. I would think this would be a suitable subject for general interest, and related to the protection of Elecraft equipment.
Lightning Protection done correctly can be very involved. It consists of a grounding scheme of many large copper wires and ground stakes covering a large area to dissipate a lightning surge over a large area of the earth. Perimeter ground wires around any building and radial ground wires (not to be confused with a radial field for a vertical) having several ground rods at intervals connected to the ground wire and a ground rod any place where he ground wire makes a change in direction are important considerations. As for the shack entry point, running *all* connections coming into the shack (power, telco, ethernet, and antennas) through a single "grounding window" is important for lightning protection considerations. The minor consideration included in a lightning protection system is the surge protectors on feedlines and all other lines (power, telco, ethernet, rotator and control lines) coming into the shack. I use Polyphaser surge protectors on the coax feedlines at the point of entry to the building and also at the shack grounding window. Other lines are protected by MOVs at both points, and the power to the shack runs through TrippLite suppressors. Yes, I have the perimeter wires around the buildings on the property and I have 3 radial wires running from each mast or tower - buried 1 to 2 feet under the ground and connected to driven ground rods at intervals. I have implemented reasonable lightning protection - I had the opportunity to install it when the house was being built and the antenna field was being developed. Still, I do not trust it for full protection - My antennas are grounded when not in use and any equipment in the shack is connected to a dummy load. For additional information about lightning protection, see the PolyPhaser website. Ron Block wrote a good 2 part article on the subject in QST 5 or 6 years ago. Much of the information about the design of my protection system came from those articles. 73, Don W3FPR Len, K3LJ wrote: > I know this is an off topic subject and would like information on what people > are using for lightning protection on their feed lines and rotor cables. I > would like you to reply off line to my email address - k...@arrl.net. > > Thanks in advance to those who reply. > > 73, Len K3LJ > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
