[BVARC] Lightning Strike Prevention

[Keith Dutson]

 Some useful info in this post, but shows lack of facts.  For example, it is well known and documented that lightning can strike from cloud to ground and vice versa.
My station has been damaged by lightning several times.  The worst damage was in May, 2019, when a large bolt struck my 150 foot tower.  This was witnessed by my daughter and her husband who were outside at the time.  The station furniture in the shack was being moved at that time and there were no antennas connected.  However, all units were plugged into power and connected to computers.  ALL computers and transceivers were destroyed, and the linear amplifiers were damaged in the power supply section.  There were several signs of lightning flashover at signal and power connections.  I was standing in the shack at the time of the strike, and there was no sound, but it felt like the time in military basic combat training where I felt the concussion of dynamite blasts.
Now I have relay controlled disconnect of power and antennas for all stations.  The disconnect grounds antennas and rigs.
I did collect insurance.  The claim was for about $25,000, and I got about $22,000 after deductible.
73, Keith NM5G
    On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, 09:40:06 AM CDT, Will Gray via BVARC <bvarc at bvarc.org> wrote:  
 
 There are lots of books on the subject and plenty of examples visible around major electrical installations of how to prevent damage by lightning.  Lightning occurs when there is a large charge difference present, normally caused by rain carrying electrons from clouds to ground.  If there is no path to deplete the charge and when the charge is great enough, the electrons go back to the more positively charged area of the clouds above.  The strike is from ground to cloud.  The use of several ground rods tied together and connected to power grounds, water pipes, gas pipes, and the antenna system tends to deplete the charge to the earth, preventing the strike.  Unplug, disconnect and ground your equipment.  During an electrical storm stay away from doors, windows and chimneys.  Get in your vehicle and close the doors.
Safety!Will Gray, KB7QL

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