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Old September 24th 09, 08:15 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
Robert11[_2_] Robert11[_2_] is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: May 2009
Posts: 22
Default Lightning Arrestors Question

Hi,

Saw a picture somewhere of an in-line lightning protector for a HF radio
receive only antenna.
Coax style.
Apparently has the typical gas tube, and when activated shorts the center
conductor to the braid.

Was wondering a bit about this.

I seem to remember in the old days, there was always a third tap on these
sort of things that you ran a solid ground to, e.g., a water pipe.

Does merely shorting to the braid provide "good" protection ?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Also want to ask: what about voltage surges of a few hundred volts or so
induced on an antenna lead from a nearby lightning strike perhaps
..
The levels way below what would trip a gas tube I would imagine, but still
more than enough to ruin a front end of a receiver.

How does one protect against these without breaking the bank doing so ?

Thanks,
Bob