[Elecraft] [K3] Elecraft OT - Lightning Protection

[Don Wilhelm]

Len,

I am not certain why you want only off reflector replies.  I would think 
this would be a suitable subject for general interest, and related to 
the protection of Elecraft equipment.

Lightning Protection done correctly can be very involved.  It consists 
of a grounding scheme of many large copper wires and ground stakes 
covering a large area to dissipate a lightning surge over a large area 
of the earth.  Perimeter ground wires around any building and radial 
ground wires (not to be confused with a radial field for a vertical) 
having several ground rods at intervals connected to the ground wire and 
a ground rod any place where he ground wire makes a change in direction 
are important considerations.

As for the shack entry point, running *all* connections coming into the 
shack (power, telco, ethernet, and antennas) through a single "grounding 
window" is important for lightning protection considerations.

The minor consideration included in a lightning protection system is the 
surge protectors on feedlines and all other lines (power, telco, 
ethernet, rotator and control lines) coming into the shack.  I use 
Polyphaser surge protectors on the coax feedlines at the point of entry 
to the building and also at the shack grounding window.  Other lines are 
protected by MOVs at both points, and the power to the shack runs 
through TrippLite suppressors.

Yes, I have the perimeter wires around the buildings on the property and 
I have 3 radial wires running from each mast or tower - buried 1 to 2 
feet under the ground and connected to driven ground rods at intervals.  
I have implemented reasonable lightning protection - I had the 
opportunity to install it when the house was being built and the antenna 
field was being developed.  Still, I do not trust it for full protection 
-  My antennas are grounded when not in use and any equipment in the 
shack is connected to a dummy load.

For additional information about lightning protection, see the 
PolyPhaser website.  Ron Block wrote a good 2 part article on the 
subject in QST 5 or 6 years ago.  Much of the information about the 
design of my protection system came from those articles.

73,
Don W3FPR

Len, K3LJ wrote:
> I know this is an off topic subject and would like information on what people
> are using for lightning protection on their feed lines and rotor cables. I
> would like you to reply off line to my email address - K3LJ at arrl.net. 
>
> Thanks in advance to those who reply.
>
> 73, Len  K3LJ
>   
>