Nice video Dave. You seem like a completely different person than a few weeks ago. Kudos to you for continuing to make videos when you were feeling terrible. On another note, I used your videos to get my Tech, General and as of last week my Extra. Thanks for your commitment to the hobby!
Dave, PolyPhaser is the industry standard for LMR installations, protecting many billions of dollars of very expensive infrastructure the world over. I’m not saying AlphaDelta is bad at all, but PolyPhaser is the go-to. Anyone doing these installs should be familiar with NEC and a guidance doc like Motorola’s R56 site prep document to ensure the installation is proper and effective. Also, the motion of water droplets, ice crystals, hail, snow, etc cause the electrical charges to build up within a cloud along with the movement of “air”.
I have used two sparkplugs on ladder line in the ols days. Just rest the gap. Have seen the blow apart on a hard hit. But that was the old days. Thanks for the great revuew.
thanks, I was inspecting my antenna on the roof cause its efficiency suddenly dropped by 80% one day. I saw the screw on the side of the lightning arrestor, unscrewed it, and a little ceramic thing came tumbling out and almost fell off the roof. I had no idea what it was. Took some googling but luckily I found your video.
Great video, non-technical but informative. I'm a new General class ticket holder, of course I had to run out and get a HF rig. I used your video as I was placing my order and found it quite helpful. I used lightning arrestors back in my SWL days, so I fully understand the need for protection and would never put an antenna up without it. Thanks again. 73
Hi Dave. I am new to the HAM world as I am currently studying for my technicians license and have greatly enjoyed your video trainings. When you never showed up in the videos live after the fourth class I personally assumed you may had switched over to the eternity side of life. I’m glad to see you’re still with us here and posting on UA-cam. I hope that didn’t come across as too morbid. Your way of teaching has greatly helped me and I look forward to contacting you once licensed. Be blessed. .
In Florida we have a lot of lighting! We also have sandy soil. I have seen ground rods that took big hits from lighting and glass formed around the ground rod! They are No Longer Ground! The ground rods needs to be tested from time to time to be sure that it really Ground!
Nice job Dave. Was wondering why my SWR was high on both antennas. The A-D protectors both took a hit and melted one end of the gas tube in both . Fortunately all gear good... 73...
Another very helpful video. I would love to see an actual video of the surge protectors outside your house connected to the ground rod and the other surge protectors you were talking about where they actually are. I am a very visual learner and seeing them where they are would be a tremendous help. But I love all of your videos Dave and I appreciate all you do for ham radio!! 73 KM4OCJ Todd from south central Kentucky
Don't they make a coil inductor lightning protector? Seems like I heard something about that, but I can't seem to find any. Maybe you could make a video about that.
Type N connectors are supposedly waterproof and these go outside. The others are not and require taping and such. What's the downside of using N connectors for someone building a station for the first time? Seems like less trouble and maintenance, esp in rainy environments, e g. the Pacific Northwest. 73, John - KK7JBZ
Dave, thank you, you havé answered two questions I had for a long time, how do you the gas tube is dead, and thé difference between 200 watts and higher power. Best, Va2 ldn
Dave, thanks for presenting this subject. Many direct strikes can be prevented by having a well-designed lightning protection system. It requires a really good ground system, a low impedance ground cabling system (coax shield is not sufficient), and an air terminal at the highest point of the system. Thanks for your hard work producing your videos.
@@darinhitchings7104 An air terminal is formed by sharp-pointed conductors. It is designed to prevent charge buildup. Air terminals need to be grounded to low resistance ground conductors. You can see air terminals on lightning protection systems installed on petroleum storage, explosive storage, communication system buildings, and other critical infrastructure sites. They are designed to reduce the likelihood of strikes.
@@darinhitchings7104 sharp pointed conductors are important because they prevent the buildup of charge. Only a small number of charged particles can exist before they repel each other to the point that some 'jump' off into the air. On the other hand a large sphere would allow a large number to build up (as in a Van de Graaff generator) and create a potential for lightning leaders to begin.
Hi Dave - you mention the term “reference station” several times in this video. Are you talking about your specific station, or something else? Thanks!! Tom, WB8KSB
The Alpha Delta TT3G50 specs: Insertion loss: < 0.1dB over the specified operating frequency range VSWR: < 1.10 over the specified operating frequency range Those specs appear to be for their TT3G50 arrestor with N-type connectors. I couldn't find any specs for the TT3G50 arrestor with UHF connectors but I would expect similar performance as the one with N-type connectors. The specified operating frequency range for arrestors with UHF connectors is DC-500 MHz. Cheers!
Dave, we are building a house located on a peninsula in a lake. Lightning has hit several neighbor houses in the last couple of years. With a 35 ft. tower and 4 antennas, I built a ground system with 24 ground rods, 350 ft. of #4 copper and a Ufer ground. The tower is bonded to the power ground making everything common. I will install a type 2 surge protector on the breaker panel. I want a type 1 surge protector installed on the power meter. Is this a good move or is it unnecessary?
In the UK we would advise the installation of Type 1 SPDs (possibly type 1 + 2) (based on a calculation and risk assessment) at the incoming side of the electrical supply. This will prevent high voltages being induced into your electrical installation. Its important that you adhere to the manufacturer's instructions relating to conductor and earth bonding lengths. If these are too long the SPD may not operate as designed. Definitely advise speaking to a local Electrician that is familiar with your local regulations.
@@jasontownley3130 thanks Jason. The ground rods are spaced every 16 feet apart. No long runs of copper without ground rods. I tried to follow grounding procedures for radio towers here in the States. Every time I tried to ask questions on boards, it started an argument between people far more knowledgable than me. I decided to just take what I had learned over the years and come up with a plan. It may not be correct, but I gave it my best shot.
@@rudert56 I absolutely hate that, asking for information and it ends up with people arguing only leaving you even more confused and not really giving you the information you asked for.
I love your channel and I watch you all the time, you do a fantastic job, if I join I would be an OGI and I don't want to be an OGI, it just doesn't sound right :o) But keep up the great work!!!
Dave. Please look up the turn on time specifications of gas discharge tubes. They are in millisecond's as measured in the most favorable way. How far will a high voltage spike enter one's radio and do damage in Milliseconds before the tube turns on and starts conducting? The only device that has zero turn on time are those called MOV's. The second question I have is if it is lightening coming in, how long until the tube is heated up and it explodes and the plasma keeps the charge traveling on down the conductor?
I don't know if you think you know more than you do or if you're just pretending. You sound foolish either way. And that's probably why you've been ignored. *> “The only device that has zero turn on time are those called MOV's.”* It's hilarious that you tell Dave to look something up, and then make this statement. Firstly, MOVs do not “turn on”. Secondly, their reaction time is not instantaneous. *> "If it is lightening coming in, how long until the tube is heated up and it explodes “* If “ lightning is coming in,” spark gaps and MOVs aren't going to make any difference. LOL Before you tell Dave, or anyone else, to do their homework, maybe you should first do yours.
Probably Metal Oxide Varistors (voltage controlled resistors) to shunt surges to the ground buss in the box, and small caps for LF surges. The MOVs can eventually physically degrade from the surges and then pop; not just from a big surge. A mountain top place at which I once worked had an extensive lightning strike prevention system, including small cabinets with very large MOVs that made quite a mess when they blew.
@@rickvia8435 I've actually seen it a few times lightning coming out of the ground and branching out like as if it was in a cloud. The second one was odd as it came out of the ground and basically jumped over into the next field over back into the ground.
Nice video Dave. You seem like a completely different person than a few weeks ago. Kudos to you for continuing to make videos when you were feeling terrible. On another note, I used your videos to get my Tech, General and as of last week my Extra. Thanks for your commitment to the hobby!
Congrats!
Congratulations!
Ai7BV
73
Dave, PolyPhaser is the industry standard for LMR installations, protecting many billions of dollars of very expensive infrastructure the world over. I’m not saying AlphaDelta is bad at all, but PolyPhaser is the go-to.
Anyone doing these installs should be familiar with NEC and a guidance doc like Motorola’s R56 site prep document to ensure the installation is proper and effective.
Also, the motion of water droplets, ice crystals, hail, snow, etc cause the electrical charges to build up within a cloud along with the movement of “air”.
R56...how reading time ya got? :-)
I have used two sparkplugs on ladder line in the ols days. Just rest the gap. Have seen the blow apart on a hard hit. But that was the old days. Thanks for the great revuew.
That's smart! Never thought of it, but what's the impedance?
Thank David, just the video I needed to see.
thanks, I was inspecting my antenna on the roof cause its efficiency suddenly dropped by 80% one day. I saw the screw on the side of the lightning arrestor, unscrewed it, and a little ceramic thing came tumbling out and almost fell off the roof. I had no idea what it was. Took some googling but luckily I found your video.
Excellent video! Thanks Dave!
Great video, non-technical but informative. I'm a new General class ticket holder, of course I had to run out and get a HF rig. I used your video as I was placing my order and found it quite helpful. I used lightning arrestors back in my SWL days, so I fully understand the need for protection and would never put an antenna up without it. Thanks again. 73
Thanks for sharing your in-depth knowledge, Dave!
Good explanation. Thank you.
Hi Dave. I am new to the HAM world as I am currently studying for my technicians license and have greatly enjoyed your video trainings. When you never showed up in the videos live after the fourth class I personally assumed you may had switched over to the eternity side of life. I’m glad to see you’re still with us here and posting on UA-cam. I hope that didn’t come across as too morbid. Your way of teaching has greatly helped me and I look forward to contacting you once licensed. Be blessed. .
Great content Dave
Probably the best guy on youtube with accurate information. Thanks
Excellent video. Thanks for leaving the legacy of your knowledge to so many. Be well.
Good information Dave. I did purchase 3 of these arrestors as you suggested. First from R&L then 2 from HRO (Virginia). Money well spent.
Great video.
awesome as always wish you would do a open qso on 40M love to have you in my Log.
LOL Dave 40M tomorrow night 7pm? KD2TTN
@@rebelliners You better not be eating hair again
I loved watching the lightning storms in La Junta Colorado.
Another great tutorial. Thanks.
This was outstanding!
In Florida we have a lot of lighting! We also have sandy soil. I have seen ground rods that took big hits from lighting and glass formed around the ground rod! They are No Longer Ground! The ground rods needs to be tested from time to time to be sure that it really Ground!
Nice job Dave. Was wondering why my SWR was high on both antennas. The A-D protectors both took a hit and melted one end of the gas tube in both . Fortunately all gear good... 73...
Great video. Super useful info!
Looking into this subject I’m about to break down and get these for the tower de Kg4muk 73”s Dave
Another very helpful video. I would love to see an actual video of the surge protectors outside your house connected to the ground rod and the other surge protectors you were talking about where they actually are. I am a very visual learner and seeing them where they are would be a tremendous help. But I love all of your videos Dave and I appreciate all you do for ham radio!! 73 KM4OCJ Todd from south central Kentucky
Dave you don't like the Morgan Systems arrestors?
Morgan (I.C.E.) arrestors are used by Verizon and AT&T on their cell towers. Must work pretty well.
Thanks for introducing me to the Morgan line. Looks like the line has been taken over by KF7P.
@@rudert56 that's all I use I get them from www.kf7p.com/KF7P/Morgan_Mfg._arrestors.html this guy is top notch
@@davecasler Yeah check them out I would like to see what you think of them?high quality. Thanks KD2TTN
Don't they make a coil inductor lightning protector?
Seems like I heard something about that, but I can't seem to find any.
Maybe you could make a video about that.
What about a receiver? Should I have a different and more sensitive gas discharge tube if I have a sensitive radio?
Type N connectors are supposedly waterproof and these go outside. The others are not and require taping and such. What's the downside of using N connectors for someone building a station for the first time? Seems like less trouble and maintenance, esp in rainy environments, e g. the Pacific Northwest.
73,
John - KK7JBZ
Hey Dave, do you recommend one of these for a mobile rig? If so, do I just ground it to a chassis ground?
How long a cable run would you recommend, before adding more than one lightning arrestor? Eg. One at the tower and one at the house/shack? 73 oz7hds
Dave, thank you, you havé answered two questions I had for a long time, how do you the gas tube is dead, and thé difference between 200 watts and higher power. Best, Va2 ldn
Thank you Dave! Very good explanation.
73 VE2YUD
Ha, you had me wondering what I owned. I forgot what I bought and sure enough it's an Alpha Delta model TT3G50UHP.
Can you measure the short in the gas tube with an OHM Meter?
What is the resistance on a "good" tube? A 'bad" tube?
I went with the Polyphaser based on several recommendatons. What is the difference between the two?
Dave, thanks for presenting this subject. Many direct strikes can be prevented by having a well-designed lightning protection system. It requires a really good ground system, a low impedance ground cabling system (coax shield is not sufficient), and an air terminal at the highest point of the system. Thanks for your hard work producing your videos.
What do you mean by an air terminal at the highest point in the system?
@@darinhitchings7104 An air terminal is formed by sharp-pointed conductors. It is designed to prevent charge buildup. Air terminals need to be grounded to low resistance ground conductors. You can see air terminals on lightning protection systems installed on petroleum storage, explosive storage, communication system buildings, and other critical infrastructure sites. They are designed to reduce the likelihood of strikes.
@@RB9522 thanks for the explanation interesting!
@@darinhitchings7104 sharp pointed conductors are important because they prevent the buildup of charge. Only a small number of charged particles can exist before they repel each other to the point that some 'jump' off into the air. On the other hand a large sphere would allow a large number to build up (as in a Van de Graaff generator) and create a potential for lightning leaders to begin.
Hi Dave - you mention the term “reference station” several times in this video. Are you talking about your specific station, or something else? Thanks!! Tom, WB8KSB
dcasler.com/reference/ (Dave, please add this link in the comments!)
Hmmm, PolyPhaser, who established the suppressor market, isn't/wasn't exactly "amateur grade."
Do they reduce the power?
I'm using less than 25mW, and every mW counts.
They have no effect as long as the power ratings are followed.
The Alpha Delta TT3G50 specs:
Insertion loss: < 0.1dB over the specified operating frequency range
VSWR: < 1.10 over the specified operating frequency range
Those specs appear to be for their TT3G50 arrestor with N-type connectors. I couldn't find any specs for the TT3G50 arrestor with UHF connectors but I would expect similar performance as the one with N-type connectors. The specified operating frequency range for arrestors with UHF connectors is DC-500 MHz.
Cheers!
Dave, we are building a house located on a peninsula in a lake. Lightning has hit several neighbor houses in the last couple of years. With a 35 ft. tower and 4 antennas, I built a ground system with 24 ground rods, 350 ft. of #4 copper and a Ufer ground. The tower is bonded to the power ground making everything common. I will install a type 2 surge protector on the breaker panel. I want a type 1 surge protector installed on the power meter. Is this a good move or is it unnecessary?
I don't know. I would consult a licensed electrician.
In the UK we would advise the installation of Type 1 SPDs (possibly type 1 + 2) (based on a calculation and risk assessment) at the incoming side of the electrical supply. This will prevent high voltages being induced into your electrical installation.
Its important that you adhere to the manufacturer's instructions relating to conductor and earth bonding lengths. If these are too long the SPD may not operate as designed.
Definitely advise speaking to a local Electrician that is familiar with your local regulations.
@@jasontownley3130 thanks Jason. The ground rods are spaced every 16 feet apart. No long runs of copper without ground rods. I tried to follow grounding procedures for radio towers here in the States. Every time I tried to ask questions on boards, it started an argument between people far more knowledgable than me. I decided to just take what I had learned over the years and come up with a plan. It may not be correct, but I gave it my best shot.
@@rudert56 I absolutely hate that, asking for information and it ends up with people arguing only leaving you even more confused and not really giving you the information you asked for.
I love your channel and I watch you all the time, you do a fantastic job, if I join I would be an OGI and I don't want to be an OGI, it just doesn't sound right :o) But keep up the great work!!!
Dave. Please look up the turn on time specifications of gas discharge tubes. They are in millisecond's as measured in the most favorable way. How far will a high voltage spike enter one's radio and do damage in Milliseconds before the tube turns on and starts conducting? The only device that has zero turn on time are those called MOV's. The second question I have is if it is lightening coming in, how long until the tube is heated up and it explodes and the plasma keeps the charge traveling on down the conductor?
I don't know if you think you know more than you do or if you're just pretending. You sound foolish either way. And that's probably why you've been ignored.
*> “The only device that has zero turn on time are those called MOV's.”*
It's hilarious that you tell Dave to look something up, and then make this statement. Firstly, MOVs do not “turn on”. Secondly, their reaction time is not instantaneous.
*> "If it is lightening coming in, how long until the tube is heated up and it explodes “*
If “ lightning is coming in,” spark gaps and MOVs aren't going to make any difference. LOL
Before you tell Dave, or anyone else, to do their homework, maybe you should first do yours.
What are the components of the Lightning arrestor that you showed inside the box in order to build a similar one? Thanks for the great videos!
Probably Metal Oxide Varistors (voltage controlled resistors) to shunt surges to the ground buss in the box, and small caps for LF surges. The MOVs can eventually physically degrade from the surges and then pop; not just from a big surge. A mountain top place at which I once worked had an extensive lightning strike prevention system, including small cabinets with very large MOVs that made quite a mess when they blew.
👍 👍 73
i put my scanner antenna a few feet lower then the back yard trees, so i wont get hit as electricity takes the shortest path....so hopefully im ok.
Ever see a video of a lightning strike hitting a tree or pole lower than the tip?
How about a big one between the antenna and the power amplifier, and a small one between the power amplifier and your equipment?
Why use surge protectors when all you have to do is put your transmitter in a Delorean and have it going at exactly 88mph when the lightning hits it?
never seen lightning ground up
You won't see it. It happens too fast. It's called ground-to-cloud lightning and it does happen. Nothing magic about opposite charges either way.
@@rickvia8435 I've actually seen it a few times lightning coming out of the ground and branching out like as if it was in a cloud. The second one was odd as it came out of the ground and basically jumped over into the next field over back into the ground.
I am looking for a guy name Westom,
he should be here in anytime soon...
First ! :-)