[TowerTalk] Yagi lightning protection

[Chuck Gooden]

Dave Anderson, K4SV wrote:

> I had a direct lightning hit on the tower, no damage
> in the shack due to massive grounding but it appears
> the relay contacts on the 40/30 yagi has been welded
> closed.  I can energize the coil and it draws 160 mA
> like normal but no physical movement of the armature. 
> To be sure I will check when a bucket truck becomes
> available. 
> 
> So here's my question, Is there a way to protect the
> relay from damage when lightning hits?  I suspect
> lightning hit one side of the element and the other
> side of the element arced to the boom which is
> grounded.  The relay contacts were in the middle.

Wouldn't the cost of attempting to protect a relay be more than the
relay cost?  You're lucky it was JUST a relay!