[Elecraft] Lightning Strike - Metal Roof attracts?

[drewko]

I didn't mean to imply that anyone should follow my example; I was
just relating what I do in my relatively simple station and computer
setup. 

I'm not about to install a sophisticated grounding system, so
unplugging stuff is the next best option. I probably wouldn't go that
route if my setup was very much more involved or if I lived on a
mountain peak.

73,
Drew
AF2Z



On Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:49:20 -0600, you wrote:

>
>I have to totally disagree with Drew's (AF2Z) statement that " the rare
>close strike probably means everything that is connected will get taken
>out".  Nothing can be further from the truth. The next three paragraphs are
>quoted from WR Blocks web site (W3FPR specifically mentions Ron Block in his
>rather verbose dissertation in his email below):
>
>
>
>"Our challenge is to assemble the best amateur radio station possible, enjoy
>the benefits of the hobby, and have our station operable during times of
>need.  This can be a significant challenge especially considering the height
>of the antenna and the awesome capabilities of Mother Nature's lightning
>strikes.  While she may have the upper hand as far as when and how much
>energy she delivers, you have the ability to influence how that energy is
>diverted into the earth.  Said another way, you can implement a lightning
>protection plan that will protect your amateur radio station, even from a
>direct strike!  
>
>The commercial radio folks have done this for years; many of them have
>critical, must operate, installations in some very difficult to reach
>locations.  Many of the installations are located on hills or mountaintops
>that afford the best area coverage and are great lightning strike targets.
>They do survive direct strikes and continue to provide important services to
>the communities that they serve.  While this type of solution is possible
>for the amateur radio station, it does cost money and it does take a
>significant amount of resourcefulness, ingenuity, and effort to implement
>and maintain.  
>
>The plan does work; but you must follow all of the rules, exactly.  Any
>violation of the rules, even just a little one, may result in a violation of
>the protection plan and damage to your equipment.  In some cases the damage
>to a semi-protected radio station could be worse than if no protection plan
>had been implemented at all.  I'll start with some background and then get
>into the heart of the matter."
>
>
>
>Don's (W3FPR) is right on track.  I have lived south of Denver on top of a
>hill since 1993, and moderate to severe thunderstorms seem to be the rule
>rather than the exception in the Spring and Summer (around 40 or so).
>Though I can't say that I have ever watched one of my towers take a hit (not
>in the habit of sitting by a window during a lightning storm and "standing
>watch" over my towers - I normally hibernate in the shack and use the
>computer while enjoying feeling the house shake with the close by lightning
>strikes);   one evening (wife and I were out) the fire dept told me they
>responded to the house after receiving a call from a passing motorist that
>he saw one of my towers being hit by lightning.  They did not find any
>damage, nor did I after I arrived home and checked everything out.  In an
>earlier post, I mentioned that I did have some damage to the M2 Orion 2800
>rotor (on the 120 ft tower) and a diode in one of my Hy-Gain rotor relay
>switch boxes being shorted after a storm last week.  If that is the only two
>"hits" I have had in 18 years, I am pretty damn lucky;  according to the
>charts, my 120 ft tower has a probability of being hit 2 1/2 times a year
>based on the number of "thunderstorm days".
>
>When I was erecting my "antenna farm" I was well aware of the lightning
>problems associated with living on top of a hill at 6600 ft; and took the
>necessary steps to minimize the risks of sustaining substantial damage to my
>equipment. All I will say is I can't agree more with what W3FPR states;  but
>rather than try and "dig up" old QST articles, just go to Ron Blocks web
>site  (http://www.wrblock.com) and "click" on PAPERS.  That will tell you
>everything you ever wanted to know about lightning protection and what you
>need to do to effectively "ground" your station.
>
>Since I am not a big fan of "practice bleeding", I do not operate during a
>storm; and I try and remember to disconnect the coax and rotor cables
>(normally four - five if the 2 mtr radio is connected).  However, I have to
>admit that more than once I did not disconnect stuff prior to leaving and a
>storm rolled through while I was gone. I can't believe that Drew disconnects
>everything from his K3, PC and router;  I can't imagine the amount of time
>that must take having to connect and then re-connect every time it is going
>to storm (I have around 14 or so connected to the K3 - it would take me at
>least 15 minutes to figure out where each one goes!). 
>
>Dick K8ZTT 
>