[Dx-qsl] LIGHTNING strike

Tue, 1 Jan 2002 20:26:17 -0600

I have had to deal with two instances of lightning damage in the last 3
years. They were not direct strikes, but there was enough induced voltage to
damage numerous items in the shack. I spoke with The Wireman, a dealer of
coax and other ham products, about the problem. I ended up buying from The
Wireman a bus that allowed me to ground each coax that comes into the shack.
When they are not in use they are grounded to this bus, which is attached
via #2 solid copper to the house ground. Even the rotor cables, and there
are five of them coming into the shack, are grounded to a bus of my own
construction. Even the coaxes of the Beverages are grounded when not in use.
I used to simply unplug everything and would see and hear static discharges
arcing at the end of the coax. A few of these left burn marks on my desk
top. Since installing this system a year ago I have had no problems at all
and thunderstorms are very common here. By the way, this is independant of
my station RF ground. They should NOT be the same. Good luck. Steve, NN4T.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Noonan" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2002 7:59 PM
Subject: [Dx-qsl] LIGHTNING strike


> Apologies for NON DX topic.....
> After a Direct strike by Lightning.....
> My VHF ..&.. HF  Yagis, Rotator , Computer & Monitor & modem were ALL
> affected.....ie....they no longer work...!!!
> Any Information on Stopping the destruction caused by Lightning , will be
> gratefully accepted...
> I would really Hate to have to go thru all this again.....(including
> submissions to the insurance company)
> My Yagis were at the top of a  36 foot tower ...the lightning came into
the
> shack via the coaxial cable and left burn marks on the rear of an antenna
> switch where its earthed and  also melted a PL259 male plug and a female
to
> female Coupler .
> I have pics if anyone is interested...   As Far as I know .....
> NO  Transceivers were affected as they were disconnected at the time...
> 73
> Lee VK2LEE
>
>
> > DX-QSL mailing list
> > [email protected]
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/dx-qsl
>
>
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