[Elecraft] wire antenna lightning protection

[Rick Shindley]

There is little one can do to protect a wire antenna system against
lightning strikes aside from taking it down when storms approach. The wires
cannot carry much current, but a lightning bolt may turn them into plasma
and burn a high-current plasma path into your house!

Back in college, one rainy afternoon I happened to glance out the front door
in the direction of the tv antenna on the the roof of the house across the
street. At that moment lightning struck the antenna! A direct hit with
MAXIMUM AUTHORITY, too! It was a massive hit. The lightning bolt seemed to
dwell for seconds. Molten aluminum spewed in every direction. When it ended,
the antenna, mast, tripod mount, and lead-in wire were gone! Vaporized!

The homeowner was a mean, petty, political science professor who disliked
engineering students. I had to smile. I mean, all I did was look at his
antenna and... BOOM!  Behold! Fear the power of engineering!

Rick KC0OV
K2 1360 (w/just the right amount of carbon content, thank you!)