[Elecraft] [OT] Grounding Antenna when not in use

[Tom W8JI]

After I get my kit built, I¹ll be operating with a windom 
antenna on 40 ­
10.  It¹s been suggested that when I¹m not operating, I 
should disconnect
the rig from the antenna and run the antenna to ground. 
I¹ve never done
that in the past when I operated with wire antennas or my 
vertical, but it
does make sense as a safety precaution.  I¹m wondering if 
anyone has any
suggestions about the best way(s) to do that?  Are there any 
pieces of
equipment that you would recommend to simplify the process? 
Any help would
be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.>>

Chuck,

Nearly all the time when there is serious damage, it comes 
from a loop from power lines to your antenna and station 
ground.

http://www.w8ji.com/ground_systems.htm

You either MUST have a proper station ground bonded to the 
power mains ground and a bulkhead entrance, or you really 
would have to take the rig totally out of line. No power 
supply connections, computer connections, antenna, or 
anything.

Although it is popular, grounding the antenna when off 
really means next to nothing. It can help if a hit is a mile 
away, or from p-static charging, but it won't do a thing if 
lightning hits the mains (very common) or the antenna (very 
rare unless you have a tall tower).

For automatic antenna disconnect and static shielding you 
really need a double-make double-break relay, in a proper 
box with proper layout, to totally isolate the center 
conductor.  It has to be a properly configured double-make 
double-break that grounds the transfer bar when the relay is 
off. Any other type of relay or switch is not secure at all.

Tom