I have been hit here in central SC no less than 4 times in the past 2 years.
I have a good ground and surge surpressors, but I have found that nothing,
NOTHING else works better than disconnecting the antennas, telephone
connections and AC connections. when my station is not in use.
Tom K4RV
----- Original Message -----
From: "Keith Dutson" <kdutson@sbcglobal.net>
To: "TowerTalk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 3:15 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Rain static, lightning and Polyphasers
> We have our share of lightning and 'canes here too (Houston area). My
> tower
> is only 150 and will soon be adding two more at 150 and 160.
>
> I have found the most effective protection is a well-designed single point
> ground system. This includes a connection to the AC mains entrance
> ground.
> I also use Polyphasers in the bulkhead (8 so far) but have had lightning
> damage through them in the past without a proper single point ground. I
> also homebrewed a relay box for the shack that disconnects and grounds the
> antennas and equipment AC connectors when the power is turned off. The
> ground for this box and all other shack equipment is a Harger copper bar
> that connects to the bulkhead and single point ground in the yard.
>
> 73, Keith NM5G
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Cqtestk4xs@aol.com
> Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 1:04 PM
> To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Rain static, lightning and Polyphasers
>
> Having the biggest station in the lightning capitol of the US, I am pretty
> well qualified to talk about lighting hits and such.
>
> For years I, and lots of my buddies in the FCG, have been plagued by
> lighting hits. All of the big stations with towers 100 feet or more have
> been hit, sometimes multiple hits.
>
> Three years ago, I tackled the problem in earnest. Among other things, I
> redid a bulkhead in the wall now contains a wide flat piece of copper to
> the
> grounds. But the biggest improvement I made was to install Polyphasers on
> all incoming coax lines. With twelve lines, it was a big investment.
>
> In addition to doing the above, I use quick disconnects on the coax coming
> from the bulkhead, and quick disconnects on the control cables coming from
> the bulkhead. All lines stay disconnected unless I am on the air
> including
> the power cables. Also, I disconnect the cable Internet connection, by
> quick disconnect, when lightning is heard.
>
> These measures may sound like overkill, but even though I am the heart of
> the thunderstorm capitol of North America and have three 200 footers, I
> have
> not sustained any damage in the last three years....a record for me!
>
> By the way, a couple of weeks ago my brother's sailboat, ten miles away
> from
> here, took a direct hit while it was anchored next to his house. He now
> has
> about $7000 worth of electronic goodies which he can now use as emergency
> anchors, including a very nice Kenwood rig. Luckily, he was not on the
> boat
> when it was hit.
>
> Bill K4XS (in the land of lightning and 'canes)
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with
> any
> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with
> any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
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>
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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