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[TowerTalk] Advice

To: TowerTalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Advice
From: Ed Privette <ed@edprivette.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:03:26 -0400
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Guys I need some advice
I took my third major lightning hit in 10 years. I have a total of 
ten 10' ground rods and it did not hit the tower/antennas or 
associated cables. It hit beside my driveway, blew dirt and mud on 
the house and driveway.
I am at 3200' on a mountain ridge in western NC, poor soil.
I have quick disconnects on all rotor and SteppIR control wires and 
all coax disconnected unless I'm physically in my house. This strike 
exited in my shack/office. Burned two black streaks across the oak 
floor and through the insulation of the DISCONNECTED AC cables and 
fried almost every piece of ham gear on my desk. It appeared to have 
come out of the phone jack. It is blown out of the wall and burned 
black around it. With everything including the ground disconnected 
this is like someone said "we don't care what precautions you take 
you're going to get it".

Thats the history. Here is my question. I bought a Surgex SXN240 
series suppressor. This unit has an input of 220/240 2 phase VAC 
rated at 20A. I intend to mount it on the wall and pull one 240v 
circuit from the output for my amp and two 120v legs for the rest of the gear.
This puppy is supposed to protect major medical equipment. I intend 
to shield all in/out circuits in grounded armored cable. Still using 
disconnects to everything on my desk. Does that sound like a good 
plan? I'm sure my insurance carrier is going to pitch me out after this one.

I can't do a "whole house ground" the way my place is laid out. There 
are three grounds at the tower, three under my window and four near 
the main entry panel.

Any suggestions appreciated

73, Ed W4EP

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