[TowerTalk] Grounding control cable/Rotator control box

[Joe - WDØM]

Here's a web site to consider, when it comes to disconnecting coaxial 
cables from equipment:

http://www.polyphaser.com/ppc_PEN1016.asp

The quote pertaining, is toward the bottom/middle of the page, and reads 
thusly:

"Just a word to those who tell us that they are safe from lightning because 
they always disconnect the coax from their equipment. When asked what they 
do with the disconnected line(s), they usually respond that it is placed on 
the floor. Now if you stop and think about the last few thousand feet that 
the lightning has jumped, you can see the fallacy of their thinking. In 
fact, they made it worse since arcing involves ignition temperature plasmas 
inside your house. True, the radio may still work, if it survives the house 
fire. Throwing the coax out the window is not a solution, especially if the 
coax has already entered the house from the antenna or the antenna is roof 
mounted without a ground path. Grounding switches will not last long with 
direct hits unless other good ground paths are provided. Grounding the 
antenna line and not disconnecting the coax shield can still allow strike 
energy to be shared with the equipment The shield connects to the chassis 
and if a single point ground is not present with power/telephone 
protectors, the equipment will be damaged. "

73,
Joe
WDØM




At 08:00 AM 9/13/2004, Dale L Martin wrote:


>On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 22:14:42 -0600
>  "Noel" <yaesurig at msn.com> wrote:
>>Had a pretty good lightening storm here this evening and decided to
>>disconnect my coax cables after I heard that familiar ticking sound that
>>told me there was static charge buildup on the coax.
>
>
>hmmm....
>
>I learned this lesson a few years ago:
>
>There are three sounds that help to remind me to disconnect cables:
>1.  The sound of distant and approaching thunder
>2.  The click the light switch as I leave the radio room
>3.  The click of my bedside table lamp at night
>4.  The starting of my car engine in the garage
>
>73,
>dale, kg5u
>
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>
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>Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with 
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>
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