[Towertalk] Lightning

[Mel Martin]

I don't agree with this at all... I've taken a number of direct hits with
minimal damage... You cannot protect 100%, lightning is somewhat
unpredictable, but you can mitigate the odds considerably.
I have a 150' tower in a very flat area.... the tower is the highest thing
for miles I've had more damage to my C-band satellite TV system due to EMP
than to the ham shack.

BTW, commercial installations have to survive multiple direct strikes....

*  You CANNOT protect against a direct hit.
It's an illusion.  You CAN protect against
secondary strikes, or induced currents in
house/phone/antenna wiring from nearby hits.