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Identify what is to be ProtectedThe first step in the process is to identify what you want to protect. Now, the immediate answer is, well, everything. While you can come close, you may run out of money, time, or energy. So let’s create a priority list and work the list from high to low priority. Probably first on the list are the more expensive items associated with your radio station, usually the transmitting and receiving electronics. Viewed another way, without one of these there is no radio station, so they should be very near the top of the list. Probably next on the list is any of the following depending on just how you enjoy the hobby: antenna tuner, linear amplifier, terminal node controller, or computer. A little further down the list might be the antenna, rotor, and transmission line. Each person’s list and priority ordering will be different depending on what you have, how you use it, and its relative value to you. Pause here and mentally construct your priority list being sure to include all of the elements of your radio station. We will then work through the process of developing your protection plan. The first step in the process is to construct a box-level schematic of your radio station starting with the top priority item. This should be a relatively simple and straightforward process. In some installations it may be necessary to go behind the equipment to determine precisely what is connected to each element in the box-level schematic. The accuracy of the schematic is important in determining the protection plan and in the effectiveness of the protection plan. I would imagine that the top item on the priority list is your transmitter and receiver (or transceiver). And, if you have multiples of each, then they are probably listed in value or sentimental order. This is the heart of your radio station and so we will use the primary radio equipment as the starting point in developing the protection plan. It doesn’t matter very much where you start, this process will in turn examine and diagram each element of the radio station.
Represent the primary transmitter on the box-level schematic as a single rectangle on a piece of blank paper. Label it with the manufacturers name and model number. Similarly, add the primary receiver as another rectangle next to the transmitter. Label it. If your primary equipment is a transceiver then represent it as a single rectangle. Next, think about the antenna connection to the primary transmitter, receiver, or transceiver. If the connection goes directly to the external antenna, simply draw a line from the rectangle to the edge of the paper. However, if the antenna is connected to the equipment via a linear amplifier, T/R switch, an antenna tuner, or a multi-position coax switch; add this (these) as separate rectangle(s) interconnected with the primary radio equipment. The coax going to the antenna should still go to the edge of the paper. Label the coax with the type of connector (UHF/PL-259 or N-series), lowest and highest frequency (nearest megaHertz or band name) and the maximum transmit power in watts (rounded up). If there are additional transmitters, amplifiers, receivers, and transceivers as a part of your radio station, add each as a rectangle to the schematic. Be sure to interconnect each of these secondary rectangles into the antenna connection(s). If some or all of the secondary radio equipment have a direct connection to an antenna, just show the coax going to the edge of the page. Be sure to label each rectangle with the manufacturer’s name and model number, and each coax with connector type, frequency range, and maximum transmit power. The box-level schematic should now have a rectangle that represent each transmitter, receiver, transceiver, radio room located amplifier (receive or transmit), antenna tuner, SWR meter, and antenna switch. Each of the rectangles should have lines representing the coax cables interconnecting with the antenna(s). Each coax that leaves the radio room and goes to an antenna or some tower-mounted electronics should be drawn to the edge of the page and labeled.
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