I assume you don't live in the lightning capitol of North America, central
FL. I understand very well about lightning and static build up as do
others who have posted here. I have three 199.99 footers as well as several
other smaller ones. Unless you live in an area of little t-storm activity
you have been very lucky. Having a lightning hit your tower is not if, but
when.
I have spoken to several EEs who work at the local surge protection mfg
company and since I have followed their advice I have had no damage even
though the towers have been hit over the summer.
Bill K4XS/KH7XS
In a message dated 9/17/2012 2:53:22 P.M. Coordinated Universal Time,
frankkamp@att.net writes:
Nope, never been hit by lightning in over 30 years of hamming.
Evidently you have had that misfortune.
Ever wonder if there might be something you don't understand about
static build-up?
My tower is grounded by virtue of the tower leg bottoms stuck in sand
and dirt below the concrete. I don't need any additional grounding.
The tower acts like a big lightning rod. Contrary to popular belief,
lightning rods don't attract lightning, they dissipate static charge.
At least mine seems to work that way. Your milage may differ.
Cqtestk4xs@aol.com wrote:
>You ever take a lightning hit? I have several times and it was
>uh....exciting. Towers were extensively grounded but not to a common
ground with the
>house. Three tower legs are not an extensive ground and will not
>dissapate a direct hit and will likely make a beeline to your shack on
the coax to
>finish the job on its way to your home grounding system through the
house.
>You are living on borrowed time with that attitude. Extensive grounding
>is your best friend and the insurance company's.
>
>Bill K4XS/KH7XS
>
>
>In a message dated 9/17/2012 1:17:23 P.M. Coordinated Universal Time,
>frankkamp@att.net writes:
>
>I fail to see why a ground is needed at all. Surely the lower two feet
>of tower is firmly embedded in dirt with the concrete anchor above
>that. If it was done that way those three tower legs should serve as
>some pretty good ground rods. At least my version of common sense tells
>me so. I will have to admit that common sense has not always been
>kind. Sometimes it does not make sense at all and becomes just common
>bs. I am wondering what it might be on this topic? Anyone venture a
>guess?
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