On Fri, 19 Dec 2003 15:07:07 -0500, " Uncle Peter"
wrote:


"Andy Cowley" wrote in message
...
strike. A spark gap that can conduct a lightening strike would
be the size of a small truck.
Most damage comes from the voltage induced by nearby strikes
rather than direct hits, so the spark gap doesn't have to be a
monster.

Devices like PolyPhasers keep the voltage across the coax to a low
level. If they get poked too hard they short. If they get poked
really hard they blow apart. I had one short about a year ago, but
there was no damage to the equipment. OTOH the PolyPhaser is over $50.
Still, it was a good trade. The rig on that line is a TM-V7A and it
was on at the time of the strike.


The only way to make sure you have a working station after a
lightening strike on your aerials is to take out good insurance.

In a way. It means you will eventually have a working station. OTOH
there are no guarantee, but it never hurts to move the odds in your
favor by using good grounding techniques and protective devices, or
throwing the coax out the window.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair?)
www.rogerhalstead.com
Return address modified due to dumb virus checkers

vy 73

Andy, M1EBV

Nonsense. Every insulated AM broadcast station antenna has an arc
gap at the base. How many stations get struck by lightning each year
and keep on operating?

Pete