Paul, Yep that is the advantage of side mounted antennas, but they can still take a hit. Normally much less of a hit, but can be a problem.
Probably most damage done with hits is not the direct hit, but where it goes after. It can hit your antenna and end up in your computer which was not connected to any of the RF gear. I experienced this about a month ago. Direct hit on an antenna that was not connected to anything and the lightning got to my Verizon router/phone/cable system. Took out most of it and the 2 computers connected. Blew the heck out of the antenna. Was all over the yard. With the high currents from lightning high voltages are generated all thru its path and these in the wrong places can jump to other pieces. 73, ron, n9ee/r >From: Paul Finch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: 2008/05/08 Thu PM 10:26:12 CDT >To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com >Subject: RE: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: antenna question - Dip It and Scotch >Kote and Kry > >Ron, Remember that lightning not only hits the top of the tower but can come >back off the tower and hit something else in it's way, I think I heard in >around 150 foot increments. The only hit of lightning that did any damage at >my tower was from a direct hit that did no damage to the antennas or feedline. > It apparently hit the tower near the top and came back off somewhere lower >down the tower and hit the power pole next to the tower. It took out a >lightning arrestor in a paging base which in turn opened the circuit breaker >the base was on as well as the main breaker. No other damage. Paul >From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of >Ron Wright >Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 7:03 AM >To:Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com >Subject: Re: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: antenna question - Dip It and Scotch >Kote and Kry > > >Joe, > >I agree the 224 probably handles lightning better than the fiberglass >versions. I think the folded dipoles being on a mast and the mast takes most >of the hit where with the fiberglass the antenna itself takes it. > >I would not like to mount a fiberglass antenna on top without a top bracket. >I've seen good quality new fiberglass antennas have wind static type noise on >new installs due to blowing in the wind. I am sure the swaying over time takes >it toll. Of course I like bottom and top mounts on all long antennas, but if >top mounted is the install then the DB224 would be preferred. > >Thanks for you input. > >73, ron, n9ee/r > >>From: MCH <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>Date: 2008/05/07 Wed PM 02:12:33 CDT >>To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com >>Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: antenna question - Dip It and Scotch Kote >>and Kry > >> >>I haven't had as many problems with lightning and the fiberglass >>antennas as I have with wind causing fractures in the connections >>between the elements. In the case of the coasts, you have to deal with >>that AND salt, so I doubt there is any good solution. >> >>The above said, I do believe the 224 type antennas do handle lightning >>better - I didn't mean to imply that they don't. I'm only saying in >>those I've seen wind is the bigger threat. In the case of a top mounted >>antenna, there is no way to stabilize the top of the fiberglass antenna. >> >>Joe M. >> >>Ron Wright wrote: >>> Dick, >>> >>> This discussion of weather proofing an antenna was started in part because >>> I am replacing a 4 bay DB224 up high and near the Gulf of Mexico. We think >>> the salt air got to it. We have had similar problems in the past. The >>> antenna has been up for about 12 years. >>> >>> I was looking for a solution to the salt air. The painting issue came up >>> because of this. >>> >>> I am replacing with a Telewave ANT150F6-2 fiberglass enclosed antenna. >>> However, many have had problems with these and the Celwave or RFS Super >>> Station Master with lightning. They do not handle the lightning as well as >>> the DB224 due to, one reason, some use solder to hold the elements together >>> inside the radome. However, mine is side mounted and hope this will not be >>> a problem. The salt air is. >>> >>> I like the Station Master, but also like the DB224. >>> >>> On VHF one does not get easily 10 db gain out of a RFS Station Master, in >>> fact more like 4.7 db for the 140-150 MHz antenna. The Telewave uses a >>> longer fiberglass radome for its version allowing all the elements to be >>> inserted. >>> >>> The UHF version does have higher gain, 9 db, gain. >>> >>> The folded dipoles allow squewing the pattern easier and more than the >>> station master. About all it will allow is moving around and in/out from >>> the tower. The folded dipoles are much more flexible in this issue. >>> >>> Lots of good responses on this. Know many learned a lot. I did. >>> >>> 73, ron, n9ee/r >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> Er.. uh... Excuse me, but why all this commotion about painting >>>> and preserving antennas??? >>>> >>>> If everyone used limited range, low gain, stacked folded dipoles, >>>> then maybe so, but stacked folded dipoles are a low gain limited >>>> range item. >>>> >>>> I've seen them used in small towns with limited coverage Public >>>> Safety fleets, and Local Paging, but only where limited range >>>> coverage is required. >>>> >>>> When I worked in Mobile Radio Communications ALL Remote Base / >>>> Repeater antennas were stacked coaxial antennas inside a tapered >>>> Fiberglass radome (Station Master type?) and operated at DC ground, >>>> with a properly grounded mount, which was realy a good lightning rod >>>> as well, where there was never a problem, and at a normally 10 db >>>> gain!! There are Internet aricles on building these.. >>>> >>>> Commercial / Public Safety fleets are normally of defined coverage >>>> areas, but we hams want to talk as far as we can... which means more >>>> gain, and I've never heard of anyone wanting to paint or preserve an >>>> antenna, for everything was enclosed except a link cornor reflector >>>> or beam antenna!!! >>>> >>>> Dick, W7TIO >>>> >>> >>> >>> Ron Wright, N9EE >>> 727-376-6575 >>> MICRO COMPUTER CONCEPTS >>> Owner 146.64 repeater Tampa Bay, FL >>> No tone, all are welcome. >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------------ >>> >>> >>> >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> > >Ron Wright, N9EE >727-376-6575 >MICRO COMPUTER CONCEPTS >Owner 146.64 repeater Tampa Bay, FL >No tone, all are welcome. > > > >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG. >Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.10/1421 - Release Date: 5/7/2008 >5:23 PM > > >No virus found in this outgoing message. >Checked by AVG. >Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.11/1422 - Release Date: 5/8/2008 >5:24 PM > > Ron Wright, N9EE 727-376-6575 MICRO COMPUTER CONCEPTS Owner 146.64 repeater Tampa Bay, FL No tone, all are welcome.
