[CQ-Contest] Starting Over...

[Jim McDonald]

I once also suffered lighting damage from an outside wireless internet antenna via the Ethernet line to the router.  I had that because I live in a rural area and had no choice.

I was overjoyed when I finally found I could get Verizon 5G Home Internet.  Instead of 20Mb down and 4 up from a lightning magnet, I have a small, white cube on an inside bookshelf pointed at a 5G cell tower less then two miles away.  My internet speed is 320Mbs down and 20 up.  And it's cheaper than the wireless service.

I can have Ethernet to the shack because it's not carrying lightning.  I have it connected to my new K4D and KPA1500 via an Ethernet switch.

Jim N7US


-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+jim=n7us.net at contesting.com> On Behalf Of john at kk9a.com
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2023 14:27
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Cc: k4wi at k4wi.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Starting Over...

This may be a great time to upgrade your transceiver but also you should review your lightning protection system. A nearby lightning strike induces a lot of voltage into your home's wiring so just disconnecting the coax does not really protect much. Probably most of us could do more to protect our equipment but definitely some things are very important. Polyphaser's brochure used to have a recommended ground rod pattern around the tower to dissipate a much of the energy. The bonding that K9YC mentioned plus a single point ground is essential. I also use a whole house surge protector.
If you use Heliax, Commscope ground kits are a great way to protect your coax.

GL,
John KK9A/4


Courtney Judd k4wi wrote:

Well, I am looking for some opinions here.... took a nearby lightening strike the other day and the only turned on/hooked up was my internet router which is hooked to an external antenna. It was hooked to my computer via Ethernet and that hooked to my FT5000/microham Keyer 3 via USB ( they were all off and antennas unhooked). The router was toast as well as the computer... got them replaced and all back working but now looks like still have problems with the rig having no CAT signals and the Keyer3 no USB to the computer. I can still operate but only in a bare bones fashion. I woke up during the night and decided it was time to just start over. I am thinking about the FT-101MP and would like any opinions on how it compares to the 5000 and how easy does it interface with a computer.... any external device needed? I do CW/SSB/RTTY and FT8 with DX4WIN general logging and Writelog for contesting! So thinking of doing away with the FT5000, DMU2000 , MicroHam keyer 3, and all 3 u-tune filters and replace all this with the Ft101.... good idea or bad? Also I am going to go all WiFi in the house with no actual wired connection to any device.... a mesh cell setup and let everything connect wirelessly.... that should help keep the big juice out of my electronics... maybe! So am I thinking in a good direction or should I repair everything and keep trotting along with this current setup... the
5000 is an 2011 model and I do love it but maybe time for new! Thanks and 73's Cort K4WI