[TenTec] Grounds

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

Carl is very correct.  And I spent 15 years in South Florida.  Move there 
and you'll get an education on lightning protection.

All in all this lightning protection stuff relies on mitigation.  Yes we 
employ systems and methods to minimize the damage.  With ones station 
sitting there, look at the multiple paths available for current flow.  For 
the most part, there's nothing done that will adequately dispel a lightning 
strike.  Just try to take most of the energy outside and keep it there.

That's like getting in a vehicle to be protected from lightning because it 
sits on rubber tires.  Keep in mind that the lightning stroke has traveled 
through several thousand feed of air and one believes 8" of rubber is going 
to stop it.  IMO that dog won't hunt.

73
Bob, K4TAX


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carl Moreschi" <n4py3 at earthlink.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2014 3:43 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Grounds


> My experience is not far from this article.  I have never connected any 
> piece of ham equipment to a special ground with the ground lug.  I don't 
> ground my antennas when not in use either.  If the ground from my antennas 
> comes into the house, I don't want that ground to bring lightning surges 
> into my home.  At the first hint of a thunder storm, I have a single plug 
> I remove that removes all external AC from my station.  I also have a 
> plate at the window where all my antennas enter the house.  I disconnect 
> all my connections to that plate for storm protection.  The only 
> protection that really works for lightning is complete disconnection from 
> the outside world, including grounds. Remember if your ground just has .01 
> ohm and you get a 100,000 volt lightning strike, you still get a 1000 volt 
> difference across the ground wire.  So it is futile to think you can 
> ground something struck by lightning and keep the voltage low.
>
> I have been in North Carolina for the past 40 years and this is what works 
> for me.  North Carolina is second only to Florida in annual lightning 
> strikes.
>
> Carl Moreschi N4PY
> 58 Hogwood Rd
> Louisburg, NC 27549
> www.n4py.com
>
> On 5/18/2014 4:17 PM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
>> Interesting article.
>> I particularly loved his piece on SWR.  AMEN!
>>
>> I am not knowledgeable enough on grounding to comment on his 
>> recommendation;
>> I'll leave that for others.
>> However there was one bit that does annoy me.
>> It is very dangerous to take one's own experience (even if it is over 39
>> years) and apply that in general to the rest of the world.  "I've been
>> driving a car for 39 years.  I am a cautious driver.  Never had an 
>> accident.
>> Therefore I see no need for a seatbelt, airbag or even insurance."
>>
>> My method in protecting from a lightning strike is an outdoor connection. 
>> I
>> simply unscrew the coax and throw it out into the yard (after placing a
>> plastic protective cover over the PL).
>>
>> I also unplug ALL equipment from the wall - but I learned something from
>> this document.
>> I have not been disconnecting my ground which goes to a stake just 
>> outside
>> the house.
>> Will do that in the future.
>>
>> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
>> (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim 
>> Allen
>> Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2014 9:17 PM
>> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
>> Subject: [TenTec] Grounds
>>
>> While perusing eHam for another topic, I ran across this article which I
>> share to provoke comments.
>>
>> http://www.eham.net/articles/21383
>>
>> 73 de W6OGC  Jim Allen
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