The Lightning Protection for Antenna Rotors

ASSEMBLED and TESTED BOARD – $29.99 with Free Shipping USA only.

INTERNATIONAL BYERS MUST CONTACT ME FOR INQUIRY AND SHIPPING INFORMATION

CURRENT VERSION – V2

Manual can be download HERE (in PDF)

Hello 2ALL. This is a fresh and new design of Lightning Protection for Antenna Rotors (LPR) by Ivan RA3WDK.
What is the LPR?
LPR – Lightning Protection for Antenna Rotors.
It’s the electrical circuit which connects between a rotor and control unit. The circuit has relays and other parts which help to protect your
control unit against the static and dangerous voltage during the lightning storm or thunderstorm. Don’t know what are cell tower lease rates for your business? Visit this site for more information.
What do I need it for?
You need it for protection. Without the proper protection of your rotor and control unit the chance to get damage during a lightning is very high. There is a few important steps that needs to be done before rotor installation. Some people prefer disconnect the all cables during the lightning storm but that is only option and it’s not a right way to do.
If your system is not GROUNDED or hasn’t any lightning protection the cable disconnecting won’t work.
The lightning strike is the natural hazard. Stay smart!

some words from Ivan RA3WDK

  • I hope you thinking about protection your antenna rotors and station. How many HAMs ground or disconnect their rotor cables?
  • So much information has been posted on lightning protection for Rotor in Internet, but not many HAMs used those recommendations. Isn’t good idea!
  • You have to be always prepared. It’s better spend $$ for protection instead spend your $$$$ for repairing and replacing.

Let’s read some interesting article from DX Engineering

The primary goal in any lightning protection system is to control the massive energy generated during a lightning strike so it will dissipate before it can enter our homes. Lightning contains awesome levels of energy in a wide range of frequencies, and travels fast (1ns per foot) with very fast rise times. It can travel through the power lines, coax feed line, control lines, telephone, CATV or satellite coax and our equipment looking for the easiest path to ground unless we can provide a better path for it to follow. To control this energy, we have to provide a better path to ground than anything else around. A single, low inductance ground point system can ensure a simultaneous rise and fall of the currents across all of our equipment, so no current will flow across the equipment in search of ground potential.

Build a ground system that uses conductors with low inductance and impedance across a wide frequency spectrum to provide a good path for the energy to follow. A wide and thin conductor like copper strap is better than wire or cable for longer runs. A heavy solid, rather than stranded, wire will work if the connection is direct and short.

Even with a well designed ground system, some of the current generated during a lightning event may flow along feed lines, control and equipment grounds and AC power lines. Lightning protectors should therefore be used on all of these lines before they enter our house. Lightning protectors work by diverting the surge to a low inductance ground path that we must provide.

                                                         DX Engineering, Inc

Lightning Protection for the Rotors (LPR)

LPR V1
LPR V1

Description

  • Easy to install, have TVS-diode/Gas tube Arrestor and relays to disconnect the rotor from control unit.
  • TVS diode shunts RF current and voltage over 18V, Gas Tube Arrestor shunts voltages over 80v. The relay connects the rotor only for work period.
  • It’s very simple circuit but could save your time and money.

The LPR compatible with many types of rotors:

Type COMPABILITY Notes
YAESU G-250 X
YAESU G-450A X
YAESU G-650A X
YAESU G-800DXA(SA) X
YAESU G-1000A(DX,SDX) X
YAESU G-2800A X
YAESU G-550 X
YAESU G-5500 X [*] Available with restrictions
KENPRO KR-400 (RC) X
KENPRO KR-500 X
KENPRO KR-600 (RC) X
HY-GAIN  HDR-300A X
HY-GAIN  T-2x (T-2xx) X Also for use with DCU-3
HY-GAIN  AR-40 (500) X Available for other old models of rotors and models with digital controller (DCU-1, e.t.c.)
HY-GAIN  HAM-V (VX)HAM IV with DCU-3

with digital controller

X

[*] recommend use of two LPR to increase protection
If you don`t see in the table your rotor or controller please contact Ivan RA3WDK or me

Connection Diagram
Connection Diagram

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GROUNDING:

  • Amateur radio equipment should be grounded in the single ground point (better outside of house/shack).
  •  You must connect PLR ground wire to that ground point.
  • TURN OFF and UNPLUG the control rotor equipment and TRX (included PS) before start grounding.

The Schematic Diagram of LPR V2 (please click to enlarge or left button SAVE IS to save it to your PC)

Schematic Diagram
Schematic Diagram

Typical LPR Connection Diagram for Yaesu G-250A rotor:

LPR connection diagram for Yaesu G-250
LPR connection diagram for Yaesu G-250

Table of connection LPR to Yaesu G-250 rotor

CONTROL UNIT LPR OUTPUT ROTOR LPR INPUT
Pin 1 B1 Pin 1 A1
Pin 2 B2 Pin 2 A2
Pin 3 B3 Pin 3 A3

For other types rotors and their connections to LPR V2 please download the LPR manual

–         Current LPR version V2 -available from May 2014

–         Previews version V1 is discounted since April 2014

 

For more information please contact 24/7:

    Alex K6VHF – alex_nersesyan@yahoo.com

    Ivan RA3WDK – ra3wdk@gmail.com

 

LPR author and designer – Ivan RA3WDK

Support and USA official distributor – Alex K6VHF

MADE IN USA

20 thoughts on “The Lightning Protection for Antenna Rotors

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  2. Im interested in your lpr lightning protection for the YAESU G-800DXA.

    If you sell this as a kit or all ready put together on a circuit board i would like to put this on my rotor before i put it in sue.

    the one from DX engineering is to expensive for my blood.

    yours sounds perfect for me i have water proof boxes of all kinds to put the board in.

    please let me know what i could do to get this.

  3. Hello,
    I am interested in your lpr to provide lightning protection for an outdoor TV antenna Rotor. I have a Radio Shack (Archer)1225 ,3 wire rotor system. I can supply a separate 13.6VDC to operate the relays. I would locate the device outdoors in a weatherproof enclosure, close to ground level at the cable entry point and tie to the system ground point. Looking at the schematic, it appears your device will work well for this application. I see your latest update was in may of this year. Please provide purchase information if the item is available for direct purchase. Thank You.
    Paul M.
    Middletown,Delaware

    1. Hi Paul.
      Yes it will work with your rotor without the problems. Just wire it up and power it.

      The price would be $30 shipped to your door by USPS First Class 3 days.

      If you fine with this please send your payment to my paypal account alex_nersesyan@yahoo.com and write in the comments “PAYMENT FOR LPR”.
      Thanks for your interest. 73!

  4. This LPR product seems to only protect half of the Yaesu rotor system. In fact, pins 1, 2, and 3 are only the position indicating potentiometer. Lines 4, 5, and 6 are power supply lines that also connect to the Yaesu rotor control circuit board and power supply board, and have NO protection in this LPR product. What do you suggest be done for protecting lines 4, 5, and 6 in the Yaesu rotor system?

  5. Alex:

    I would like to buy (2) LPR, ASSEMBLED and TESTED BOARDS – $29.99 ea. How do I do that since it is not listed on your on-line store?

    Regards & 73

  6. Alex:

    Just sent you payment for (2) LPR units via PayPal. Read your instructions of July 31, 2014 and did the same.

    Regards & 73

    Neil

  7. Alex:

    You do not have a diagram for the Hy-Gain T2X rotor. All I have been able to find are the diagrams for Yaesu rotors.

    Larry

  8. Hi
    I would like to order the Lightning Protection for Rotors verson V2.
    I am located in Sweden.

    Best Regards from Roland, SA4CFP

  9. I have an old Hy-Gain Ham 4 rotator and would like to purchase your device wired and tested. Please advise price and availability. Thanking you in advance and 73 Lee Harris,W9VTC

  10. The LPR that just arrived looks good!

    I notice that the 2 motor connections for a Yaesu rotator are not included in the LPR and so are not protected.

    Do they need protection also? If so, how would I do it? Do I need to buy a second one?

    Thanks!

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