[Boatanchors] How much is too much?

[w8au at sssnet.com]

At 07:33 PM 1/29/2011, Jim Haynes wrote:
>I recall some old military tube equipment that had something like a neon
>bulb across the antenna terminal to ground.  Doesn't seem like that would
>limit the voltage enough, but maybe it did.

The old military receiver input Z's were typically 300 ohms or more, plus
the separate receiving antennas could approximate hi-Z also.  This
made NE-2 neons somewhat protective at an ionization voltage of 85-90 V.

Today, at 50 ohms Z, neons would not be 
effective.  (Watts=E2/R)  90(squared)/50= 162W (!)

Consider checking out the Navy R-1051G receiver input protection circuit, if
you are serious about mutual coupling of close antennas.  It provided an
instantaneous hi-level attenuator switching arrangement.

Perry  w8au