I couldn't have said it better myself. While I'm in Tennessee now, I spent
15 years in S. Fl where lightning strike are some 10 times more frequent
than here in Tennessee.
On antennas, I'd comment that the word "disconnect" is implied to mean
physically disconnected. Disconnected via switch is of little value except
to reduce static build-up/discharges. I look at it this way, if lightning
has traveled several hundred feet than adding a couple of inches or less of
path through a switch is expected to do little good.
One very important key to good lightning grounding is to be sure all ground
points, driven rods, well casings and such are all bonded together. Failure
to do this will present an opportunity for a "step voltage" to exist between
two different grounds during a near-by strike. At that time one will have 2
grounds at different potentials. Not good.
73
Bob, K4TAX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lynn Lamb" <w4nl@charter.net>
To: "Ten-Tec Reflector" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 2:23 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Grounding
> This may get me flamed for going against conventional history, written
word,
> published engineering practices and old customs.
>
> Grounding:
>
> I ground my towers at least 3 times each with 8' rods at each leg with 00
> off the tower at approximately the 10' level slanting to the rods. I
don't
> agree lightning makes 90 degree bends. This could and perhaps should be
> made even better.
>
> I don't use ground rods at the shack since they have not worked for me. I
> do bond all the equipment together. The AC is a 30 amp service via a
> contacter (spell) which when turned off removes the service house ground
not
> just the 3 wire 220V. THIS ground can and has caused problems in the
past.
> Each night or when required the switch is turned off. No ground to the
> equipment.
>
> All antennas are disconnected at the Nye Viking tuner, VHF rig and the
> beverages switch input (these are truly lightning rods!). All rotators
have
> quick disconnects as does the DX engineering switch controls.
>
> The computers/monitors/memory keyers are run from a USB and has saved my
> bottom several times.
>
> We have plenty of lightning here in East Tennessee. The cable ISP, and
> phone lines are disconnected each evening and when storms are in the area.
> The phone lines are a real problem here even though protected with filters
> at the input of the house and at the pole.
>
> So I don't think ground rods help me at the house no matter how well done.
> I've seen concrete blown out when rods are put through it and receive a
hit.
>
> Advice: Disconnect everything and pull it to the center of the room, hi.
>
> 73, lynn W4NL
>
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>
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