[BC] LED beacons

[Mike McCarthy]

I'm doing a dual strobe/LED system as we speak.  I'm placing the cable in 
conduit because it's an AM tower.  TWR says I'm the first one doing this 
with one of their systems.  I would not advise doing this on an AM tower 
without conduit due to the introduction of AM RF circulating currents on 
the cable shields. The conduit creates a well bonded faraday cage so that 
the circulating currents of the AM station are minimized along the cable 
shield.

We are cognizant of the fact we might have to break the cable open and bond 
the shields.  But with junction boxes every 35 degress to bond the shield, 
we need not worry about weather damaging the cable.

All the comments I've heard about the latest Dialight LED flash system have 
been positive.

One other thing, I would STRONGLY advise the use of a lightning 
diversion-static dissipation system with this equipment. The goal is to 
keep the lightning from striking the less than robust frame of the 
fixture.  These are by no means the old cast 300mm code beacons with a cast 
top and solid rods supporting the fixture.  My preference for this 
application is the ERI spur system.  The spur support can mount to the same 
bolts which the fixture is attached if the legs are less than 1" in 
diameter.  I look at that $1-2000 (installed) as an insurance policy which 
may never get used.  But as the saying goes, one avoided hit and it's paid 
for...you just won't know it.

Is that WDWS's new tower

MM

At 01:38 PM 5/15/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>     What's the word on LED tower illumination? How do they deal with 
> lightning? RFI? Lifetime? What do you like/dislike about them? We're 
> putting up a new 420 foot stick. The home office has nixed the idea of 
> strobes but is interested in other options.
>
>Al, Retired, mostly
>
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