Ohio sees lightning rates at about 2-8 strikes per square kilometer per year, so the odds that over a 7 year period one will be near you is pretty high.
Grounding, bonding and use of Polyphasers on all lines connected to and from your equipment (feedlines, power, telephone, data) per generally accepted practices goes a long way towards preventing or minimizing damage to protected equipment. You did not say if these precautions had been taken. If not, or if done inadequately, this is probably why you experienced the problem. If you have taken all the above steps, then maybe the failure could be considered premature. But nothing is going to be 100% each and every time. Chuck WB2EDV ----- Original Message ----- From: Richard MI Ranta To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 11:17 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] RE:Blown RF output transistor Good morning group. Ah. Spring is here and with it, a blown output transistor on a Henry C130 AD 30R linear amplifier. It just blew around 8PM Wednesday evening. I thought it must be lightening strike, due to scorched area around the part and board. It almost looks like it tried to burn a hole right through the chassis. Have any of you folks had similar problems using this amp?? 7 years seems a tad early to be repairing or in this case, replacing the whole thing. Thanks ahead of time and enjoy the wonderful weather. Snow is gone! Rich K8JX
