A while back, and I mentioned it here as well, I had a lightning strike. OK
so I have about three a year and I have a very good ground system, but back
on track. Basically every thing was hooked up with the exception of one
coax cable. That cable comes from a common grounded bulkhead in the
basement where each cable goes through a Polyphaser. The same #2 bare copper
forms a buss behind all the rigs. The disconnected cable was one of two
(144/440) from the 144 and 440 arrays at the top of the tower. The go
through the grounded bulkhead connector along with the other cables and then
to an Alpha Delta 3 position, 2 cable selector. Position 3 being a ground.
It is less than 6 feet to the common grounded bulkhead. The AD switch is
mounted on the underside of the "hutch" that goes on top of the operating
desk. The disconnected cable end was laying under and a bit tot he side of
the AD switch.
There was a bright flash and a lound bang. There was a very fat, brit arc
from the end of the disconnected cable to the AD switch yet both cables were
currently tied together at the grounded bulkhead just 6 feet away.
My memory of the event is a tad foggy now as this is the first I'd thought
of it in some time, but as I recall the only damage was to my nerves.
Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
www.rogerhalstead.com
> One item not mentioned was whether or not the rf ground was disconnected.
> When I am disconnected from the antennas, rotators, and tower, I am also
> disconnected form the rf ground. My fear has always been that a surge
> could run up to the bulkhead and make the jump via an rf ground. Have I
> gone too far?
>
> Jim
> W5QM
> _______________________________________________
>
> 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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>
_______________________________________________
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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