[TowerTalk] Lightning Strike - Post-strike analysis

[WD0M]

I'm happy that the loss was minimal, compared to the potential.  Could 
have been far worse.  The phone tech arrived late yesterday and replaced 
their sure arrestor, so I have a new one out there doing its job.  
Nonetheless, a new surge protection system for the phone/DSL/network is 
on the way.  I'd have to agree that fiber systems are far better when it 
comes to lightning.  Our phone lines here are very old, with little 
chance of ever seeing s fiber system in the years to come. 

If I find a round tuit, I'll send it your way. 

73,
Joe

Pagosa Springs, CO

http://home.centurytel.net/WD0M
http://pagosarocks.com




Gene Smar wrote:
> Joe:
>
>      Sorry to hear of your excitement but glad nothing more serious happened.  
>
>      Here in the WDC area, Verizon (formerly Bell Atlantic Tel) has been shilling their FiOS service - fiber-based phone, internet and TV.  I signed up for all three earlier this year and can now report that the only conductors entering my QTH are from the power company (not likely to change to glass in my lifetime) and the tower coax and control cables.  I have Polyphasers on all tower cables, but nothing other than dumb luck protecting the power feed.  
>
>      I suppose I really ought to totally remove the copper twisted pairs left over from the telephone service so a neighborhood strike doesn't find its way into my basement.  Have to look for another round tuit, though.
>
>
> 73 de
> Gene Smar  AD3F
>
>
> From: WD0M <WD0M at centurytel.net>
> Date: 2007/09/18 Tue PM 04:36:35 CDT
> To: towertalk at contesting.com, SteppIR at yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Lightning Strike - Post-strike analysis
>
> ...............
> The bottom line is that if there's a way inside, lightning will find 
> it.  Don't forget the phone/DSL line, or for those with cable TV, that 
> line as well.  My web site <http://home.centurytel.net/WD0M/home.html> 
> has a description of my attempts to prevent any "extra" electricity from 
> finding its way into the shack, for those interested (or, see the link 
> below the signature below). 
>
>
>
> Stay safe out there....
>
> 73,
>
> Joe
>
>