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Dual Mechanical Lightning Disconnect

Bill NE1B
Bill NE1B Member ✭✭✭
in New Ideas

I was recently at a Hamfest and saw a new product that physically separates the coax cables going into and out of a Flex transceiver. I have seen other "protector" products that use relays with minimal separation between contacts. They don't offer the isolation that this one does. The alignment of the mechanical movement was very precise.

Here is the weblink and video:

https://www.rigcables.com/rig-isolator-auto/

73,

Bill, NE1B

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Comments

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    This is the one I use.

    You will notice that the case is plastic. Also when the cables pull apart, the grounds are seperated. For proper installation, you need 2 different ground straps connected to the same grounding point.

    When I talked to the author of this device last summer in Huntsville, he had had built over 300 of them and had first hand knowledge of several direct strike saves.

    This is very inexpensive insurance.

    Mike va3mw

    https://www.trueladderline.com/lightning-detection-and-protection-system/
  • K9YK
    K9YK Member ✭✭
    edited May 13

    I built this. Disconnect with 8 N connectors and one rotator connector. Provides 7" air gap. Designed and built the controller, wrote the firmware, and a server app running on a RPi that provides a web page for remote operation and real time streaming switch position updates.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/xyrj2tUYQZU?si=8o-19A7BpHHrv9hI
  • Geoff AB6BT
    Geoff AB6BT Member ✭✭✭

    What protection does a gap of a few inches afford if lightning has taversed thousands of feet already?

    I must be missing something.

    Thanks…

  • Al_NN4ZZ
    Al_NN4ZZ Member ✭✭✭

    Geoff wrote:

    “What protection does a gap of a few inches afford if lightning has taversed thousands of feet already? “


    I saw a design idea that included a metal plate that moved into the space between the connectors automatically as they separated. The plate was grounded. The plate is intended to intercept any arcs and ground them to prevent any surges from getting to the coax going into the station.

    Seems like this would potentially address the concern……thoughts?


    Al / NN4ZZ

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