[Hallicrafters] antenna

[Mike Everette]

John,

Please re-read what I said.  I was not referring to a
direct strike.  You are quite correct that nothing is
going to "save" you from a direct hit; but lightning
can do some very funny things.  I have seen it blow
electrical outlets clean out of the wall; but the fact
that a piece of equipment plugged into the same
circuit was turned OFF, saved the equipment from
damage.  Go figure.

My reference to grounding the antenna is not intended
to be a guarantee of protection from a direct hit,
either.  But the induction in an antenna wire during a
thunderstorm is pretty powerful.  You have, I am sure,
seen a disconnected coax cable arc across from the
center pin to ground during a close strike? 'nuff
said.  Keep it OUT of the shack.  And by grounding the
antenna, it might not draw a "finger" from a close
bolt.  (Notice I say, MIGHT not.)

As for the line bypass caps, I do not believe they are
all that necessary in the first place (and the "drain"
resistor as well).  If they cannot be replaced by the
proper type, I will remove them altogether.  And I
still don't fully trust the AC-rated types.  Here is
why.

I was almost killed once by an audio amplifier in a
background music system, when I had to reach behind an
air conditioning duct to pull a new speaker lead to
the unit and the back of my head touched the amp
chassis.  When I was again coherent, about an hour
later, I opened the amp up and checked it.  The
problem was a leaky 0.01 uf cap used as a line bypass.
 I cut the cap out and stomped on it.  I did not put
another one back.  Guess what?  The amp had a 3 wire
cord, at the time of the accident.

Once burned, twice learned.

Keep any possible connection to the chassis away from
the power line.

73

Mike
WA4DLF



		
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