[Hallicrafters] Antenna Lightning Protection

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi Skip,

Unless you have a commercial antenna system, there really is no such thing 
as "protection". If lightning hits it, adios!

You can guard against static discharges, up to ten miles away they can get 
you, and they are far more common then a lightning strike.

A gas filled Poly Phaser generally works well. If the gas cartridge blows 
from a hit by static being discharged, it can be replaced. The ones I have 
cost thirty dollars several years ago, the larger one on the Mosley TA-33 
beam cost about fifty-five dollars, if memory serves.

I had equipment destroyed because the lightnining hit an antenna, then went 
into the soil, came up throught one of two eight foot copper plated ground 
rods and into the equipment. The antennas were disconnected, antenna 
switches set to 'ground', power to all equipment disconnected and so forth.

The best advice I know of, the best way to not be struck by lightning is to 
not be where it is!


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Waldo Magnuson" <magnuson at mac.com>
To: <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: "Waldo Magnuson" <magnuson at mac.com>
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 9:58 PM
Subject: [Hallicrafters] Antenna Lightning Protection


>I just read an article on gas discharge tubes (GDTs) and again thought
> I should have some kind of lightning protection for my radios other
> than (when I remember) disconnecting my antenna when I'm not using it.
> What do others have for lightning protection (if any)?  Any
> recommendations?  GDTs sound good.
> 73  Skip  W7WGM
>
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