[Elecraft] Unhook ALL connections before Lightning storm

Tue Jul 15 22:08:33 EDT 2014

Hi Bill,

         No issue with that.   In my mind though there is a big difference 
between  "surge" and "strike".  These may have protected some guys stations 
here, and mine, but a direct hit on my house and for sure all bets are off.

         I learned of these from an electrician that swore buy them from his 
experiences on oil rigs off the coast of Louisiana.  They get hit with real 
"strikes" all the time  But they do have a pretty good ground and that must help 
a lot too.

         The real world verses the ideal world. Should I spend $3K on a ground 
system to possibly protect a $7.5K ham radio station?  I have second thoughts on 
that aspect too.   I do think that one of these is a better investment than a 
couple of $20 outlet strips that some rely on.

         All I have lost here was a telephone modem card years ago.

         My best hope is that those on this list who have not seen these or 
other brands may look at them and think that they are not a bad idea.

73,
Bob
K2TK

On 7/15/2014 8:54 PM, Bill Blomgren (kk4qdz) via Elecraft wrote:
> Those look exactly like what we had 3 of in the circuit breaker cabinet in the house and condo in St Pete.  A really "direct" hit will blow them up, but hopefully after they have sunk most of the energy.  One big snap, and they are done.
>
> Then again, there are more joules in a lightning strike there than they can handle. Lets face it.. the Lightning "lab" that was set up north of Daytona had 6-10 foot long glass sculptures under the tower they put up there... Anything that can turn that much sand molten is more energy than a MOV can manage to make go away easily... Rather stunning forms in various colors in the 'brown' areas of the spectrum... You can see how the lightning bolt spread after getting into the sand.
>   
> KK4QDZ - Now with Extra Class Priv's, and a tiny KX3 to enjoy them!
>
>
> ________________________________
>   From: Bob <K2TK at ptd.net>
> To: k4ia at aol.com; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2014 6:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Unhook *ALL* connections before Lightning storm
>   
>
> There is some protection to AC surges, look here:
>
> http://www.deltasurgeprotectors.com/products.cfm?sortit=1&Category=Lightning%20Arrestors
>
> I have one on my service entrance.  Does it work?  I can't prove that, but
> anecdotal evidence seems to indicate it does.  Some years ago a direct hit on a
> house in the next block caused a fire.  I know of a TV and a control board in a
> dish washer that were fried, one next store and another across the street.
> There may have been more that I'm unaware of. I'd like to think it worked here
> though.
>
> It boils down to risk assessment too.  That is a personal decision. I've got 50
> years of motorcycling and know others that would never get on one because they
> are so dangerous.
>
> 73,
> Bob
> K2TK ex KN2TKR (1956) & K2TKR
>
>
>
>
>
> On 7/15/2014 5:19 PM, Buck - k4ia via Elecraft wrote:
>> I have had several instances of nearby impulse damage and surge voltage on the
>> AC line.  It could have been very expensive but for insurance.
>>
>> I would put in a plug for either the ARRL or Ham Radio Insurance Associates
>> equipment insurance.  HRIA will cover up to $5000 in losses for $136/yr
>> including Mechanical Breakdown.  The two policies are very different so review
>> them to decide which is best for you.
>>
>> If you love your K Line as much as I do, you'll get it insured.
>>
>> Buck
>> k4ia
>>
>> On 7/15/2014 6:58 AM, Bill Blomgren (kk4qdz) via Elecraft wrote:
>>>     And another warning: Nearby (like next door) lightning will be picked up by
>>> ANY long wires which end up acting as antennas.
>>>
>>> I did computer repair in Florida.  I had a time share/multitasking system in
>>> a law office that had thousands of dollars in damage after the building next
>>> door got hit.
>>>
>>> The terminals were plugged into serial lines back to the central system.  So
>>> were the printers. (Think: 6 processor unix type system with a network inside
>>> the box)
>>>
>>> The tops of ICs were all over the guts of every printer, terminal and the
>>> computer let out the magic smoke.  ALL of the terminals and printers had been
>>> "unplugged" - but not from the RS232 connections.
>>>
>>> The ONLY way to isolate the rig is totally unplug the thing: antennas, power
>>> supplies and so on... same with your computers.
>>>
>>> Down in Florida, there are code required surge MOV's in every circuit breaker
>>> panel.  All they do is eliminate something close by.  They get vaporized by a
>>> direct hit.
>>>
>>>
>>> KK4QDZ - Now with Extra Class Priv's, and a tiny KX3 to enjoy them!
>>>
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>>     From: Keith Trinity WE6R <keith at elecraft.com>
>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> Sent: Monday, July 14, 2014 8:19 PM
>>> Subject: [Elecraft] Unhook *ALL* connections before Lightning storm
>>>
>>> Hi all, I work on K3's all day and would like to advise/remind folks
>>> that lightning comes in through ANY path it pleases, not just the antenna.
>>> Time and time again folks say they unhooked their antenna but the
>>> lightning took out the DSL modem, computer and K3 via the RS232 port!
>>> Anything connected is a potential path...
>>> Be safe! '73
>>> Keith WE6R
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