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

[Fred Atchley]

Dale, WC7S wrote:

I disconnect... all the radios. and I have still heard the coax zapping,
during a storm. 

I'm thinking that is enough to cook a junction. 

End snip

 

I've heard that eerie ticking coming from my "lightening bug arrester". This
ticking increases to a buzz as the storm gets closer.

I've often wondered why more hams haven't become "SK". First, they construct
this big "lightening catcher" in their yard, and then they run a very good
conductor into the house! Diodes are the least of my worries.

Speaking of diodes, back in the "good ol daze", vacuum tubes could take a
lot of abuse and "heal up". But solid state devices don't heal up; they
suffer from tunneling, which is permanent.

The best advice is to disconnect both the antenna and power if you live in
an area where lightening is prevalent.

Fortunately for me, I moved to S. California to be near the grandkids.
Lightening storms out here are so rare that if you hear a clap of thunder,
you are sure to read about it in paper the next day.

73, Fred, K3 2241