[Elecraft] Antenna static charge precautions - any tips?

[Vic K2VCO]

Which reminds me: I have ICE lightning protectors on my feedlines where they come into the 
shack. These have a built-in choke across the side that goes to the antenna, which drains 
static charges. See
<http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/surge_arrestorAS-3xx.htm>

The only disadvantage of these is that they also have a DC blocking capacitor in series 
with the center conductor, which complicates things if you want to inject a DC voltage to 
operate a remote switch or tuner.

On 9/9/2012 3:28 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> Keep in mind that the resistors (or a choke) only provide PARTIAL
> protection. If you connect an antenna to the rig that has accumulated a
> significant voltage - which can happen in a couple of minutes in dry windy
> conditions, in a rainfall, or even during a snowfall, you'll still damage
> the rig when you connect it because the voltage won't drop fast enough
> through the protection circuit. Not even a choke may protect against that
> due to the rapid rise time of the spike.
>
> That's why it's an excellent idea to keep any disconnected antennas grounded
> or, if one has been left open, to ground it before connecting it to the rig.
>
>
> Hopefully less common is a nearby lightening discharge that induces a
> current in the antenna. I'm not talking about a direct hit or even anything
> close to it. The strike may be some distance away and still induce a
> damaging amount of current that the resistor (or choke) cannot bleed off
> fast enough. That's another reason to shut down and ground antennas if
> lightning can be heard, no matter how far away.
>
> 73, Ron AC7AC


-- 
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/