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Eric F. Richards · December 23rd 06, 12:30 AM posted to rec.radio.shortwave

wrote:

What Lightning Protection product should be used with a Random Wire
setup.

Looking at the Zap Trapper.
I do realized that a direct hit will not save anything though.

Brian

Most of what you'll be protecting againset is static (from wind, snow,
sandstorms, rain) and induced EMF (near-miss lightning). Direct
strikes CAN be protected against, but ya gotta be careful and you
gotta not shortcut anywhere. This includes in the money department.

You are protecting a system -- not only an antenna, but also a
feed-line and radio. How you protect a random wire directly connected
to a portable radio is *very* different from how you protect a
receiver plugged into the wall going to a transformer ("Balun") and
feedline.

So, what is the radio, and how is the antenna connected to it?

At a minimum, handling static and most induced EMF can be done with
something a simple as an NE-2 neon bulb between a good RF ground and
the antenna. A far better solution is to use a ceramic gas tube made
for the purpose.

Handling more requires more effort. For example, a radio plugged into
the wall should have an integrated RF and power solution, such as can
be provided by companies such as Polyphaser. At a cost. Now I have
several thousand dollars in radios so investing that much in a system
is no biggie to me... but if you have an Eton, you probably want to go
on the cheap.

So, back to you: What what kind of feed line, if any, what kind of
radio?

--
Eric F. Richards

"This book reads like a headache on paper."
http://www.cnn.com/2001/CAREER/readi...one/index.html

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