[Elecraft] disconnecting antennas

[K9ZTV]

Good advice -- but half-way.

Disconnect all equipment from your power mains.  Power surges are minor 
compared to what lightning can do when it gets into the electricals.

73,

Kent   K9ZTV



Scott McDowell wrote:

> Hi
> In the past I have always used a coaxial switch to disconnect my radio 
> from the
> different antennas I  have.
> A few weeks ago I noticed a message posted by Don W3fpr that the coaxial
> switch wasn't good enough to protect radio equipment, so I started
> disconnecting my antennas when not in use.
> That paid off big time. Last week lightening struck my tower and the 
> power
> surge from it destroyed three computers, a packet tnc, and a TV set.
> But  due to Don's advice my K2 was disconnected and not damaged.
> I've had a tower up for more than 30 years and this is the first time 
> I have
> had a lightening strike on it. I was in my shack which is on the 
> second floor
> of my home and the tower just outside the shack, so the shack is a 
> third of
> the way up my tower. It sounded like a bomb had gone off just above 
> the house.
> When I installed the tower I extended the base of the tower a foot below
> the concrete for a ground. I believe this took the lightening strike to
> ground, because there was no damage to the house.
> So disconnect those antennas when not in use.
> 73
> Scott N5SM
>