[NJARC] question regarding long wire antennas

[Chuck]

Hi Gerry,
I'm not an electrical engineer like yourself, but my experience of the 
extent of the spark arrestor's capabilities went a little further.
I am a software engineer and my knowledge of the subject comes only from my 
limited experience.
My antenna took a direct strike from a HUGE bolt of lightning, according to 
my neighbor who saw it happen. It felt like a truck hit my house!
The antenna is mounted on a 25 foot aluminum flagpole mounted at the top of 
the gable of my house and is the highest object in the area at 48 feet high.
So I guess it's a prime target for a lightning strike!
Somehow the spark arrestor saved it as well as the radio, even though the 
radio was connected to the antenna at the time.
The antenna was not trashed and the radio was still intact. Go figure??? I 
would think it should have all been burnt to a crisp.
I only had damage to the spark arrester itself! After changing it out for a 
new one, I found, to my surprise, everything still works fine???
I guess I just got a really good spark arrestor - - - or I was really lucky!
I attached a picture of the spark arrestor I had (and replaced it with), in 
case anyone one would like to get the same one for their antenna.
Now days, I keep a spare in the shop - lol

Chuck

-----Original Message----- 
From: Gerry Steffens
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2017 5:09 PM
To: 'Joe Giliberti' ; 'New Jersey Antique Radio Club'
Subject: Re: [NJARC] question regarding long wire antennas

Just remember
Reply = Poster
Reply All = Everyone

_________________________________________________________
The analogy to a spark plug is a good one.  However, maybe I am just a
wording junky but, if lightning strikes your antenna, the antenna is trashed
and so is the radio, TV or what have you.  The function of a (miss-named)
lightning arrestor is to bleed off static charges which can develop by wind,
rain, snow, etc. blowing or falling by the antenna.  The thinking, by some,
was that the charged antenna attracts lightning, maybe so maybe not, I am an
electrical engineer, not a meteorologist and more.  But, static charges and
sparks can and do wreck antenna coils in radios and more.

My first time, taking arrestors seriously was in the early 1950s as a kid
with a shortwave radio and antenna (Allied supplied an arrestor with the
antenna kit).  I was sitting in the living room and I kept hearing a snap
every few seconds.  After much searching for the cause, I found it.  The
night before we had experienced the beginning of a pretty wild storm (snow
storm - ice crystals and high wind).  Dad had disconnected the TV twin-lead
from the TV set and even unplugged it 'cause up front there had been a
couple of lightning flashes.  The snap was a static spark between the
exposed wires of the 300 ohm twin-lead of the TV antenna.  The next time at
the auto garage where dad worked I got to talk with the radio repairman
employed there.  He explained the definition of "snow static".  I went home
and installed the arrestor with a good ground!



-----Original Message-----
From: njarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:njarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Joe Giliberti
Sent: Friday, September 1, 2017 7:44 AM
To: New Jersey Antique Radio Club
Subject: [NJARC] question regarding long wire antennas

Just remember
Reply = Poster
Reply All = Everyone

_________________________________________________________


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