Fwd: [Boatanchors] Question

[cemilton at aol.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: cemilton at aol.com
To: k0dan at comcast.net; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 7:24 pm
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Question











  KØDAN has pretty well described my setup.  Here in Florida  (lightning 
capital of the USA)  we really have to watch what comes into the house. 
  I installed bulkhead connectors in my outside NEMA box and therefore I 
can disconnect my antennas OUTSIDE the house and connect the antenna 
leads to SO-239's that are centrally grounded to a 10' copper-clad rod. 
  In addition, we follow a general rule to disconnect the entire shack 
 from the AC mains when not in use and when threatening T-storms are 
approaching.  The idea of spark plugs as a means of providing a "spark 
gap" is very reasonable indeed.  Of course their primary function is to 
provide a means of relieving static buildup on the antenna system 
which, in turn, can provide a "leader" for the formation of a path by 
which a lightning strike can occur.  Gap them at .020 or whatever is 
necessary if you're running QRO.  The most often quoted fallacy is that 
of a device that provides protection from a lightning strike.  If a 
direct strike pays you a visit...........you're toast!  So keeping the 
antennas OUTSIDE the house and the rigs disconnected from the AC mains 
is the best insurance one has if the protection of the rig is the20goal. 
   I have Collins, Eico, Heath, EF Johnson and the like in my shack.  I 
want these BA's to survive.



As I write this, we have an approaching T-storm..............
.usual for Florida and this time of year............and the NOAA 
broadcast sez dangerous lightning..........hail.......60mph winds and 
some rain.  Think I'll go follow my own advice.



As always, YMMV............



Best 73 de W4MIL

Chuck

Palm Coast,FL















-----Original Message-----

From: K0DAN <k0dan at comcast.net>

To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net

Sent: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 6:43 pm

Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Question












Hole thru the wall (or if the hamshack is in the basement have 
foundation
core-drilled). Cover hole with a NEMA box (or similar); the NEMA box is
suitable for external ground point, addition of terminal strips for 
rotor
control, add Polyphasers, etc. Terminate the coax inside the NEMA box, 
then
add jumpers as needed to run into shack. This way you can switch
antennas/rigs, change connector types/genders, etc.




Balanced line can also exit the building thru this box by using a pair 
of
coax cables as a short run of balanced line. Once outside the building,
mount a pair of standoffs on the NEMA box, and connect the two coax 
lines to
the standoffs. I you want to get20really fancy, use a pair of lawn mower
sparkplugs as the standoffs, they will also act as spark gap lightning
suppressors if y
ou ground the box.




Not as fast & easy as Mike's approach, but keeps the XYL happy 
(cosmetics)
and is quite flexible for when you make changes to the shack, rigs, 
anetnna
farm.




73


Dan


K0DAN




----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike WE0H" <we0h at yahoo.com>


To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>


Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 3:41 PM


Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Question





>I drill holes through the wall and run all feedlines that way. Fast & 
easy
>:-)


> A bit of caulking seals up a hole if I decide I don't want that run
> anymore.


>


> Mike


> WE0H


>


>


> Don said:


>> hey heres my idea


>>  cut a piece of plexaglass large enuff to put in window, now wait a
>> minute more to come . Cut the holes large enufff to let the coax


>> and hardline tru now cover the plastic with a slab of innertube from 
a
>> car cut to proper


>> size , just poke a pencil size hole in each opening over the plastic


>>  now slide, with a little lube, the coax thru the holes  to the 
proper


>> length you want . after all hooked up pull back on coax alittle
 from
>> outside  and rubber


&
gt;> will pucker out side and make


>>  a good seal.


>>  there you are no connectors to have line loss and a good weather 
seal ,


>> did I mention


>> close the window over the plastic and put foam at top between the 
two


>> panes .


>>


>> Don K8OMO at it since 1959


> _______________________________________________


>


_______________________________________________









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