[TowerTalk] Lightning protection

[Bill Aycock]

Two comments from experience. Underground utilities are NOT a guarantee. I 
lost a computer and a phone to a hit that was to phone equipment over a 
mile away, with underground service to my house over that distance.
When I was on the local water board, I learned that most waterline repairs 
are to fix lightning damage to underground plastic pipes. This came home to 
me in 1990 when a hit in my yard, punched two holes in a plastic water line.

At 04:37 PM 8/4/2004 -0400, K4FJ at aol.com wrote:

>I have a couple questions regarding lightning protection, but I don't want
>to begin a thread from hell as we have recently seen on several other
>subjects.  Please REPLY DIRECTLY and I will post a summary.
>
>I have a device installed to provide Whole House protection at the service
>entrance.
>
>I receive TV via a small dish on the roof.  Is there a real need for  inline
>protection for that?  The dish is well below the highest roof  line.
>
>I need to tie my antenna/shack ground to the electric ground.  I am  now
>aware that the connection should be made around the house instead of 
>through  the
>basement--the shack is in my basement.  Is #4 bare copper sufficient  for 
>this
>or do I need a copper strip a few inches wide?  Part of the trip  around the
>house is under my deck.  Can I run the wire/strip on the ground  vice a deep
>burial?  I can do a very shallow burial if needed, but I doubt  that adds 
>much
>to the grounding.  Obviously, no ground rods will be in the  area under the
>deck and that distance under the deck is about 50  feet.
>
>All of my utilities are underground and the nearest above ground departure
>is about 1/2 mile.  Is it still advisable to provide inline 
>modem  protection?
>I have lost one modem but it is not clear why because we had  no storm during
>that period.  I don't mind doing the protection but I feel  I am putting
>another hump in the line and my dial-up internet connection is  already slow
>enough.
>
>Your thoughts are appreciated.
>
>73, Steve, K4FJ
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>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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Bill Aycock - W4BSG
Woodville, Alabama