[Lowfer] Lightning and probes

[W5JGV (Ralph Hartwell)]

> Your making me paranoid about all this talk about lightning!
> Thus anyone have any suitable alternates for the output
> 2N5109 from the PA0RDT probe - such as 2N3866?

In my version of the amplifier I have used a 2N5089 transistor.

See: http://w5jgv.com/tree_amplifier/index.htm

for the diagram.  I have since moved the amplifier to my E-probe
antenna, which is located about 250 feet from the shack.  It is never
turned off nor disconnected.  So far, it has survived all the local
thunderstorms that have passed by here.  There have been some really
close lightning hits, too!

The J-310 FET failed about two days after I installed the amplifier, but
there was not a thunderstorm within 100 miles when that happened.. Since
then (2007) it has operated 24/7 with no problems.

I really do need to update my web site with the E-probe antenna and a
few other projects.

73,

Ralph   W5JGV - WD2XSH/7