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From: stephany.WBST@XEROX.ARPA@sri-unix.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: Re: Lightning protection
Message-ID: <12740@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 23-Aug-84 13:32:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.12740
Posted: Thu Aug 23 13:32:00 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 30-Aug-84 01:13:37 EDT
Lines: 21

As a person who has had lightning strike within 30 feet of me three
times (someone up there doesn't like me), I speak with some authority on
lightning.  The worst is when the power line gets struck a few miles or
more down the road.  You can prevent this from damaging your equipment
by having a master shut off (the big switch).  And cease operations when
the bolts are out.  In case, a transient supressor will also work
wonders.  they are widely avaiable at compouter stores.  I have, on
several occassions, seen what happens to equipment when the line is
struck.  The ordinary on/off switch is not sufficient.  If your lines
are underground for several miles around your house you are reasonable
safe, but use a big switch.  If your lines are on poles thenit is almst
certain that at some time or other you will be hit.

On the antenna, only a grounding switch is good if you use your antenna
for xmitting.  This should be a DPDT that both grounds the antenna and
cuts its connection to your xmitters.  Use it when not using your rig.
For receivers, coax lightning arrestors are good but a direct hit will
burn out your receiver.  For that matter, a direct hit on your house
will burn up everything anyhow.

					Joe N2XS