[Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear

[Barry]

Wayne,
     Good advice! I use a combination of preventatives. First, I buffer 
my power going to any sensitive electronics. I use a battery backup 
system, an UPS, to buffer the power. If there is a surge, the battery 
absorbs it. Second, I believe you will ultimately have a problem if you 
leave your radios connected to you antenna(s). So, I disconnect all of 
my station from my antennas during periods when lightning is expected. I 
have learned my lesson from having lost equipment. Since I started with 
this setup, I have had no problem, and it is far less expensive than a 
full blown lightning protection system.

     One last comment: I suggest that an UPS be used just for the surge 
protection from A/C and other motors on the line. A large motor can 
throw quite a surge onto the line even with no lightning to add to the 
voltage. An UPS is really cheap insurance to protect your station, less 
than $100 to protect a few $1000.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Wayne Burdick" <n6kr at elecraft.com>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: "KX3 at yahoogroups.com" <KX3 at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: 10/29/2018 11:08:39 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear

>Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that 
>have been damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective 
>circuitry. You can take steps to reduce your own risk.
>
>1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is 
>anticipated. But in our experience, the most common source of damage, 
>by far, is from an attached computer. Computers themselves often fail 
>due to lightning strikes. They can also act as conduits for surges to 
>other gear. Just to emphasize this point: Customers often say "I 
>disconnected everything but the USB cable to the computer...," which 
>left the interface to their radio exposed.
>
>Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports 
>(accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and 
>RS232 ports are the most susceptible.
>
>2. Some stations have an ad-hoc ground system and little or no ESD or 
>surge protection. If you haven't already taken protective measures, we 
>strongly recommend reading this article, which goes into some detail 
>regarding how lightning finds its way in:
>
>http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2017/Chusid-Morgan.pdf
>
>At the very least, be sure your PC and other gear share a short, heavy, 
>common ground.
>
>3. As for protecting your PC, here's a good starting point:
>
>https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm
>
>73,
>Wayne
>N6KR
>
>
>
>
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