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Reviews For: Array Solutions AS-300 Series

Category: Lightning & Surge Protection/Supression

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Review Summary For : Array Solutions AS-300 Series
Reviews: 4MSRP: 58.00
Description:
Array Solutions have improved on the ICE 300 Series
Lightning Arrestors. These devices protect from sand, rain,
snow static buildup on antennas and feedlines. They also
protect from nearby and overhead lightning strikes. Rated at
3KW continuous at 2:1 SWR, or 5KW at 1.2:1 SWR. Insertion
loss 0.02 db or less.
Product is in production
More Info: http://arraysolutions.com/Products/surge_arrestorAS-3xx.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0045
K9YC Rating: 2017-03-24
Looks Very Good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have a lot of antennas, so have about 16 bulkhead-style Polyphasers on my entry panel. In about nine years, I've had to replace a half dozen blown units because they're built so that the gas tube is not user replaceable. That's expensive, and they very difficult to replace on the entry panel because of the close spacing on the panel and the difficulty of access.

After studying the options, I came to the conclusion that the more sophisticated design of the Array Solutions arrestors are less likely to blow because they have a discharge path for charge buildup in the form of an inductor across the coax. Equally important, the components are user replaceable. Construction looks good and they are easy to mount.

The only added feature I'd like to see is an optional mounting bracket so that they can be mounted vertically to the panel of a weatherproof enclosure yet still be easily removable for maintenance. My neighbor, who has a well equipped shop, made simple angle brackets to accomplish that. This mounting method allows more arrestors to be fitted in an enclosure and with better ability to route coax. It would be nice for Array Solutions to add those brackets as an option for hams without the metalworking capability.

It will be years before I know how well they work, but for now, I'm very happy with them.
KJ4FGI Rating: 2016-02-19
Just fantastic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I live in Central Florida and thought it might be a good idea to toughen up my lightning protection. I did a lot of research, the best way to do it was to bond all your equipment

For my UHF VHF I ordered a polyphaser arrester and for my HF I ordered an Array solutions arrester. When I got them both, like a typical ham radio operator, I decided to open them up. To my surprise the polyphaser was made in China, it looked pretty well-built, you can't judge a book by its cover.

The Array solutions was very well built, and built in America at Array solutions. In the instructions they included a wiring diagram. I've had this now for about six years and have had many, many lightning strikes in and around my backyard. Behind me I have tall trees a stream and cow pastures. Although, through God’s blessing, I have not had a direct strike, I have had strikes release a lot of static electricity and were bleed off right to ground through the Array solutions lightning arrester.

My antennas are all long, random, wires because I live in an HOA community. One of the wires is about 160 feet. What I like about this lightning arrester is it is built tough, well thought out, comes with a wiring diagram, excellent customer service which I have called about how well they were built,(I told them I was impressed) made by them with genuine American parts.

There is no arrester out there that will protect your equipment from a direct strike but there is a lot of static buildup, this not only his caused by lightning, but especially on my long wire antennas windy days build up static and up north not only the wind, you have rain, blizzard snowy conditions things like this build up a lot of static on a long wire antenna, Google it and you’ll find out how much.

The Array solutions is very well built, and of course, made in America.
You won’t be sorry if you purchase it, the customer service is second to none, the only other place I can say in ham radio where the customer service is second to none with their equipment is Elecraft.
Every one of my antennas uses Array solutions lightning arrestors, my equipment is well protected.
K3OQF Rating: 2012-10-14
I employ AS-303 lighting protection Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I live on a mountain where there are many thunderstorms and lighting strikes to my 70 ft tower or to my many Beverage Antennas. I used other commercial brand arrestors which became problematic, each time I was hit with a lighting strike the arrestors had to be replaced. The rate destruction causd by lighting was killing my radio amateur budget. The solution to the problem was purchasing Array Solutions AS-303 Surge Arrestor which solved the problem. I cannot say enough about this little unit, it does a great job.
K4FX Rating: 2012-05-27
Love it so far Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have only had this unit for a few weeks, but it seems to be working as designed. On 160 the rig on this unit enjoys a noticeably lower noise level than the radio on the "brand X" suppressor. It does seem to bleed off the static via the inductor as the ads claim it to do. As far as power handling, I regularly run an 8877 at legal limit in mostly contest mode, it has never missed a beat. 58 dollars for Array Solutions quality, this is a bargain.
You will not be disappointed with this one.