"Thank you" to all the contributors of this thread.
Would like to encourage dialogue regarding preamps (of any brand) susceptibility to lightning and/or atmospheric static discharge.
For example, a recent failure involved nearby lightning strike; one preamp out of three different antenna/preamp configurations failed. The three configurations were at somewhat similar heights (40 to 60 feet) and separated by 125 feet or so. I observed the lightning strike, it appeared to be about equidistant from the antennas/preamps.
Two significant factors affecting susceptibility, discussed in this thread and other locations:
- The grounding (or not) of a mast or tower/mast
- The type of transistor at the preamplifier input
- Probably discussed (actually I don't recall); Input filtering or lack thereof. In general, the more narrowband the preamplifier input response, the greater the transient rejection. Lightning/transient energy is broadband but the energy declines with increasing frequency.
Having had experience with some versions of nearly all the widely available preamps, and analyzing antenna/balun circuit paths, suspect that some antenna/balun configurations are more (or less) protective of preamp input transistors than other configurations.
Would like to know about any failures of any preamp (any brand) and what type antenna and balun (if any) were in use at the time.
Would like to encourage dialogue regarding preamps (of any brand) susceptibility to lightning and/or atmospheric static discharge.
For example, a recent failure involved nearby lightning strike; one preamp out of three different antenna/preamp configurations failed. The three configurations were at somewhat similar heights (40 to 60 feet) and separated by 125 feet or so. I observed the lightning strike, it appeared to be about equidistant from the antennas/preamps.
Two significant factors affecting susceptibility, discussed in this thread and other locations:
- The grounding (or not) of a mast or tower/mast
- The type of transistor at the preamplifier input
- Probably discussed (actually I don't recall); Input filtering or lack thereof. In general, the more narrowband the preamplifier input response, the greater the transient rejection. Lightning/transient energy is broadband but the energy declines with increasing frequency.
Having had experience with some versions of nearly all the widely available preamps, and analyzing antenna/balun circuit paths, suspect that some antenna/balun configurations are more (or less) protective of preamp input transistors than other configurations.
Would like to know about any failures of any preamp (any brand) and what type antenna and balun (if any) were in use at the time.
