Do (HAM) Radio Operators Use Lightning Arrestors?

Here's one that's only $185. Some folks ignore the whole thing, choosing to make an annual sacrifice of a fifth of Glenfeddich to the lighning god (I'll send you the address under PM), while others use home-brew. You can look at the old fashioned 75Ω twin-lead arresters to get a rough idea.

Here's a site that'll give you much better advice than I can.

Good one! ²

"Ham Radio Outlet" check them out on the web, they have inexpensive ones.

My dad and later myself got in the practice of disconnecting the antenna after every use, and didn't use the rig if a storm was near. Never had anything destroyed by lightning, so I guess it worked, or it could just be luck.

Check out the ARRL website, they've got lots of information there.

Yes, I used an Antron 99 (10 meters) on my 70 foot tower above my tri-bander when I lived in central Florida. It worked great as a lightening arrestor. It took the hit blowing apart and melting at the base. The tower was grounded and I fortunately did not have any other issues. I then installed lightening arrestors in the coax near the base of the tower on all of my antennas. I don't remember the brand, but as many posts point you to, they can be purchased at most of you ham gear shops or online and they are all less expensive than the rig in the shack.

Yes, we all use lightning arrestors, or at least spark gaps.

Most of us just disconnect and ground the antenna when not in use. I also have a switch which does this automatically.

Tower/pole needs to be properly grounded along with all antennas. First of all no antenna should be the highest point on your tower/pole. Antenna should be grounded at the top just below the pigtail and again before entry into the building on a transmission grounding buss bar or in some situations directly to the tower/pole, (ie if the tower/pole has a spot to ground). You can use #6 AWG from transmission line to the tower/pole and use #2 AWG from the tower to the ground ring. You can use compression but exothermic provides a better contact, but probably not justified in this case. Lastly, ensure you use a polyphaser (lightning arrestor) in-line where your transmission line enters the building and ground that polyphasor with #6 AWG

Ok thanks for all your good remarks. I, at first found the 185 dollar arrestor, but did not consider that serious due to the price. Guess I was wrong.

I do disconnect the antenna when a storm is close or when I am away for a couple of days.

Thanks all.

I talked to Dave WB7ESV (who is our local guru on the subject). He says go to www.ice.com for information. Also if you E-mail him: wb7esv@arrl.net he will forward some more information to you. FYI the ice.com reference is "Industrial Communications Engineering". Hope this helps you.

73

Bill NW7L

Took me a while but I think I got it now its www.iceradioproducts.com.

Sorry 'bout that!! I caught Dave "cold turkey" on the subject and he must have dropped the radio products part of it. I looked at one of their articles this morning and it looks like they really know what they are talking about.

The other day, I did a search for "J pole" and came up with all sorts of variations, including dual band "J"s. I currently am doing a run of rollup "J"s for a ham fair at the end of Feb, and another two weeks later. I have been making the things for over 15 years now, so I have lots of experience with them.

73s fer now

Bill St.John NW7L

SCIESIS

Sciesis2@aol.com

No Props at all. So you make the J-poles yourself, great. I did see some designs for them online, its good to have when you go camping and only have a rubber duckie. I should make one to. Thanks.

Can I ask what your call is? I will send you some literature.

Bill

I have send you an email. Much appreciated.