[ICOM] Such a Deal

[Jim Isbell]

Not trying to be flippant, but "it seems to me that" unplugging the 
equipment when not in use and not using it during times of potential 
lightning and using a grounding antenna switch would be the more prudent 
course.

That is what I do and even though I live on the highest point of ground 
on the Gulf Coast between the Mississippi river and the Mexican border, 
I have not, in 5 years of living here, been hurt by lightning.

In my last residence I put MOVs on the main power line coming into the 
house.  We were hit by lightning a couple of times but nothing in the 
house was fried.  What I don't like about MOVs is that you have no way 
of knowing if they are good or if the last strike took them out.  Its 
like Tiger powder, you sprinkle it around the house and if you don't 
have Tigers then it must be working.

Now that I am saying this I will probably get hit by lightning within 
the week but I really think that unplugging the equipment is the best 
policy and don't operate in a storm. In fact if an insurance company 
told me that they wouldn't pay because I hadn't unplugged the equipment 
I don't think I would argue with them on that point.  But if it was 
unplugged and still got taken out, as I understand is possible, then of 
course they would be liable.


Floyd Sense wrote:

>Seems to me that it would be a good idea to use low voltage MOVs on all the
>DC and signal lines that plug into the Icom transceiver (other than
>antenna).  Wonder if anyone else has done that?  A separate minibox with
>appropriate connectors and MOVs might be the best way to go.
>  
>