Re: Topband: spark gap construction ideas for 160m tower
There are a number of ways of making a ball gap. but more important is arriving at the correct spacing for the gap. The way rain is handled is usually by positioning the balls one above the other so a water bridge doesn't form between the balls. Read this by Mark Persons: https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/understanding-arc-gaps-for-am-systems Here's another treatment: https://www.thebdr.net/articles/steel/twrs/LimitingStatic.pdf Kintronic sells them https://www.kintronic.com/shop/tower-ball-gap/ 73 Rob K5UJ _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: spark gap construction ideas for 160m tower
See: https://www.qrz.com/DB/w9gl ( scroll down to 3rd picture ) Copper float balls available at any hardware, home improvement or plumbing supply store. -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Blaine Sent: Sunday, October 06, 2019 1:28 PM To: topband Subject: Topband: spark gap construction ideas for 160m tower I need to add a spark gap of some sort onto my full-size 160m insulated-base tower. Looking for ideas. Making the spark gap is simple. What has me asking for ideas is the weather element - we have a lot of snow, ice, rain here and a spark gap needs to keep that stuff off. But put a little cover over it, right? Well, yes but if the cover is not fully enclosed, then you have wasps and spiders making nests there. If it's enclosed, then you have condensation and ants. I like the idea of W8JI's two balls close to each other - the surface area is large so accumulated pitting won't change the spacing and thus the BDV much. And the water will drain off away from the contact points. But what does a guy make that out of if he does not have a set of brass balls in his junkbox. 73/jeff/ac0c alpha-charlie-zero-charlie www.ac0c.com _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: spark gap construction ideas for 160m tower
Just purchase them, they're not expensive. For example: www.antiquelampsupply.com/3-8-dia-brass-ball-tap-6-32f.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_auMy7GI5QIVho7ICh2C4wEvEAQYAyABEgJFGPD_BwE 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "Jeff Blaine" To: "topband" Sent: Sunday, October 6, 2019 6:27:58 PM Subject: Topband: spark gap construction ideas for 160m tower I need to add a spark gap of some sort onto my full-size 160m insulated-base tower. Looking for ideas. Making the spark gap is simple. What has me asking for ideas is the weather element - we have a lot of snow, ice, rain here and a spark gap needs to keep that stuff off. But put a little cover over it, right? Well, yes but if the cover is not fully enclosed, then you have wasps and spiders making nests there. If it's enclosed, then you have condensation and ants. I like the idea of W8JI's two balls close to each other - the surface area is large so accumulated pitting won't change the spacing and thus the BDV much. And the water will drain off away from the contact points. But what does a guy make that out of if he does not have a set of brass balls in his junkbox. 73/jeff/ac0c alpha-charlie-zero-charlie www.ac0c.com _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: spark gap construction ideas for 160m tower
Spark has been prohibited since 1934. :-) On 10/6/2019 11:27 AM, Jeff Blaine wrote: I need to add a spark gap of some sort onto my full-size 160m insulated-base tower. Looking for ideas. Making the spark gap is simple. What has me asking for ideas is the weather element - we have a lot of snow, ice, rain here and a spark gap needs to keep that stuff off. But put a little cover over it, right? Well, yes but if the cover is not fully enclosed, then you have wasps and spiders making nests there. If it's enclosed, then you have condensation and ants. I like the idea of W8JI's two balls close to each other - the surface area is large so accumulated pitting won't change the spacing and thus the BDV much. And the water will drain off away from the contact points. But what does a guy make that out of if he does not have a set of brass balls in his junkbox. 73/jeff/ac0c alpha-charlie-zero-charlie www.ac0c.com _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: spark gap construction ideas for 160m tower
Hi Jeff – try toilet tank float balls..I think I have still seen them around in Copper ...73 jay NY2NY _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: spark gap construction ideas for 160m tower
I need to add a spark gap of some sort onto my full-size 160m insulated-base tower. Looking for ideas. Making the spark gap is simple. What has me asking for ideas is the weather element - we have a lot of snow, ice, rain here and a spark gap needs to keep that stuff off. But put a little cover over it, right? Well, yes but if the cover is not fully enclosed, then you have wasps and spiders making nests there. If it's enclosed, then you have condensation and ants. I like the idea of W8JI's two balls close to each other - the surface area is large so accumulated pitting won't change the spacing and thus the BDV much. And the water will drain off away from the contact points. But what does a guy make that out of if he does not have a set of brass balls in his junkbox. 73/jeff/ac0c alpha-charlie-zero-charlie www.ac0c.com _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: RFI & What to do about it
Following up from the heater RFI thread earlier this week, my RFI video is posted: https://ka6wke.net/videos/rfi-and-what-to-do-about-it/ 73! Mark KA6WKE Website: https://www.ka6wke.net YouTube Live!: https://bit.ly/bench-therapy-live Author: 4NEC2 The Definitive Guide EMail List:: 4nec2defgu...@groups.io _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
