[RFI] Single-point grounding

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

I'm not sure exactly where I should post this, but suspect that this 
group probably has more relevant expertise than most, so please bear 
with me.

In the last year, I have had two expensive episodes.  In both cases, my 
transceiver's RS-232 transceiver was fried during a lightning storm, and 
several knowledgeable people suggested a difference in chassis potential 
between computer and transceiver as the reason.  Their prescription for 
avoiding a repetition was simple - connect the chassis of all of the 
units to a single-point ground.

My solution - which I'm asking people to critique - was to fabricate an 
L-shaped, roughly 3x5 foot ground bus made from 3/4" copper tubing, 
which I mounted on the back of my L-shaped operating desk. All joints 
are silver-soldered. I then connected each of the affected units to the 
bus with very short and heavy stranded wire, and connected the end of 
the bus to my grounded shack entry panel (in a double-hung window).

The DC resistance of the ground bus is very low, but the length 
approximates a quarter wave on 10 meters, and with the units connected 
near the ends of the bus, I wonder if I'm feeling a false sense of 
security about the likely behavior of the bus during a nearby lightning 
event.  Would I be better off (or no better) running heavy conductors 
from each unit to the entry panel, even if they would have to be 
similarly long? Or should I just give up and plan on disconnecting the 
RS-232 connection whenever weather approaches?

73, Pete N4ZR