Dennis, I had a similar experience last August. We took two nearby
lightning strikes 20 days apart. Lost a lot of equipment, but all damage
seemed to come through the Comcast Xfinity cable (copper, not fiber). As
part of the recovery, I had a Comcast tech come to the house. He discovered
that my cable ground was loosely attached to a painted surface. He removed
that one and put on a more substantial one directly to a ground rod.
161, George K5KG
------------------------
George I. Wagner
Sarasota, Florida
-----Original Message-----
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Sent: Thursday, June 4, 2020 12:00
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Today's Topics:
1. How to fix CATV ground problems during T-storms
(dbmcalpine73@gmail.com)
2. Re: How to fix CATV ground problems during T-storms
(donovanf@starpower.net)
3. Re: How to fix CATV ground problems during T-storms
(Dennis Younker NE6I)
4. Re: How to fix CATV ground problems during T-storms (Jim Brown)
5. What's your Opinion on 2BSIQ ? (Kevin Stockton)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2020 16:54:44 -0400
From: <dbmcalpine73@gmail.com>
To: <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] How to fix CATV ground problems during T-storms
Message-ID: <1aa801d639e9$363fc380$a2bf4a80$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Last week, we had a T-storm with one lightning bolt hitting about 100 yards
away. To my surprise, there seems to be very little damage from electricity
surges coming through the AC mains. Instead, it seems to have traveled
along using the CATV coaxial cable, perhaps on the cable shield. In our
house, we lost two cable boxes (out of four installed and operational) ant
the TVs associated with them. The TVs would actually turn on but there was
no picture, indicating the damage was probably done to the TV's front end.
The internet/CATV and phone service were out for several hours. I lost my
ham PC, irrigation system controller, RS-232/USB adapter and I/O board for
the K3 and a Winkeyer. No indication that anything came in through the AC
mains. The same story was true for pretty much all of the 5-6 houses that
were in the immediate area of the lightning strike, i.e. TVs and cable boxes
were blown (but not all of them in a house) and a few other things but very
little damage coming in through the AC mains.
I think this indicates that the AC ground was pretty good for the houses in
the area. On the other side, it would seem that the ground on the cable
system leaves a lot to be desired. We can improve our AC ground, as many of
us have done, but I don't think we can do much about the cable systems
grounding. Anyone had experience with this situation and, if so, how did
you get it fixed and protect yourself from future such events?
Tnx, 73,
Dennis, K2SX (temporarily QRT)
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2020 20:11:29 -0400 (EDT)
From: donovanf@starpower.net
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How to fix CATV ground problems during
T-storms
Message-ID:
<173582835.1251714.1591229489446.JavaMail.root@starpower.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi Dennis,
I'm sorry to hear about the damage from your nearby lightning strike
Your experience highlights the critical importance of bonding together and
grounding all conductors entering your home. If there's an instantaneous
voltage difference among them during a nearby lightning strike, bad things
WILL happen.
73
Frank
W3LPL
----- Original Message -----
From: dbmcalpine73@gmail.com
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2020 8:54:44 PM
Subject: [CQ-Contest] How to fix CATV ground problems during T-storms
Last week, we had a T-storm with one lightning bolt hitting about 100 yards
away. To my surprise, there seems to be very little damage from electricity
surges coming through the AC mains. Instead, it seems to have traveled along
using the CATV coaxial cable, perhaps on the cable shield. In our house, we
lost two cable boxes (out of four installed and operational) ant the TVs
associated with them. The TVs would actually turn on but there was no
picture, indicating the damage was probably done to the TV's front end.
The internet/CATV and phone service were out for several hours. I lost my
ham PC, irrigation system controller, RS-232/USB adapter and I/O board for
the K3 and a Winkeyer. No indication that anything came in through the AC
mains. The same story was true for pretty much all of the 5-6 houses that
were in the immediate area of the lightning strike, i.e. TVs and cable boxes
were blown (but not all of them in a house) and a few other things but very
little damage coming in through the AC mains.
I think this indicates that the AC ground was pretty good for the houses in
the area. On the other side, it would seem that the ground on the cable
system leaves a lot to be desired. We can improve our AC ground, as many of
us have done, but I don't think we can do much about the cable systems
grounding. Anyone had experience with this situation and, if so, how did you
get it fixed and protect yourself from future such events?
Tnx, 73,
Dennis, K2SX (temporarily QRT)
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2020 19:30:42 -0700
From: "Dennis Younker NE6I" <NE6I@cox.net>
To: <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How to fix CATV ground problems during
T-storms
Message-ID: <003401d63a18$26382c50$72a884f0$@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Dennis, I would suggest inspecting the CATV ground system at your house.
Make sure connections are solid and clean. Check where the CATV ground wire
has been run. It should be bonded to its own ground rod or bonded to the
electrical system ground. The attachment at the other end of the ground
should be prior to any splitters, and typically near where the drop arrives
at the home.
If you see anything amiss, I suggest you call your cable operator.
Of course, there could be an issue with grounding out at the pole (I presume
your area is fed with overhead lines versus underground). You could of
course check some of those poles yourself if inclined. It's possible a
ground wire has corroded or been knocked loose.
Lightning strike damage is hard to pinpoint as to cause.
--Dennis NE6I
-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+ne6i=cox.net@contesting.com> On Behalf
Of donovanf@starpower.net
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2020 5:11 PM
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How to fix CATV ground problems during T-storms
Hi Dennis,
I'm sorry to hear about the damage from your nearby lightning strike
Your experience highlights the critical importance of bonding together and
grounding all conductors entering your home. If there's an instantaneous
voltage difference among them during a nearby lightning strike, bad things
WILL happen.
73
Frank
W3LPL
----- Original Message -----
From: dbmcalpine73@gmail.com
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2020 8:54:44 PM
Subject: [CQ-Contest] How to fix CATV ground problems during T-storms
Last week, we had a T-storm with one lightning bolt hitting about 100 yards
away. To my surprise, there seems to be very little damage from electricity
surges coming through the AC mains. Instead, it seems to have traveled along
using the CATV coaxial cable, perhaps on the cable shield. In our house, we
lost two cable boxes (out of four installed and operational) ant the TVs
associated with them. The TVs would actually turn on but there was no
picture, indicating the damage was probably done to the TV's front end.
The internet/CATV and phone service were out for several hours. I lost my
ham PC, irrigation system controller, RS-232/USB adapter and I/O board for
the K3 and a Winkeyer. No indication that anything came in through the AC
mains. The same story was true for pretty much all of the 5-6 houses that
were in the immediate area of the lightning strike, i.e. TVs and cable boxes
were blown (but not all of them in a house) and a few other things but very
little damage coming in through the AC mains.
I think this indicates that the AC ground was pretty good for the houses in
the area. On the other side, it would seem that the ground on the cable
system leaves a lot to be desired. We can improve our AC ground, as many of
us have done, but I don't think we can do much about the cable systems
grounding. Anyone had experience with this situation and, if so, how did
you get it fixed and protect yourself from future such events?
Tnx, 73,
Dennis, K2SX (temporarily QRT)
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2020 21:09:46 -0700
From: Jim Brown <k9yc@audiosystemsgroup.com>
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How to fix CATV ground problems during
T-storms
Message-ID:
<e1fe6d31-3774-88ab-32d2-e111702a32c0@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
On 6/3/2020 5:11 PM, donovanf@starpower.net wrote:
> Your experience highlights the critical importance of bonding together
> and grounding all conductors entering your home. If there's an
> instantaneous voltage difference among them during a nearby lightning
strike,
> bad things WILL happen.
Yep. Here are slides for a talk I've given at Pacificon and Visalia on
the topic. http://k9yc.com/GroundingAndAudio.pdf
73, Jim K9YC
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2020 08:12:01 -0500
From: Kevin Stockton <aluminumtubing@gmail.com>
To: cq-contest@contesting.com, ku8e@ku8e.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] What's your Opinion on 2BSIQ ?
Message-ID:
<CAAuzX2kY79et11_r6cSY7ObwD-pDe6ToC6mo-04-KRo=pNUfBA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Hi Jeff,
2BSIQ may currently be the only fair aspect of contesting. The development
of that skill can occur anywhere so long as the individual has a
computer, headphones, and the necessary desire to push hard towards
achievement of a goal. It's not talent. It's only a skill. It's just
practice. It's time consuming. It's hard. It's only a skill.
Success with the development of 2BSIQ isn't determined by proximity to
Europe, massive stacks, or operating from a 3 point location. For those
that sufficiently develop the skill, it opens up a world of
possibilities to access stations from around the world. It's the budding
contesters golden ticket to some truly amazing experiences.
However, you are completely right with your premise. Operators using 2BSIQ
and SO2R have a massive advantage over one radio operators. The advent of
2BSIQ has shown the potential for amassing staggering scores. Using those
operating strategies fit into the current single operator definition but
like other rules in contesting they are archaic and do not address the
current realities.
There are other just as glaring rule problems with our sport that must be
addressed. Perhaps at some point, the handful of people that control
contesting will acknowledge our current state and make a genuine effort to
address this and other problems.
73,
Kevin, N5DX
------------------------------
Subject: Digest Footer
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------------------------------
End of CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 210, Issue 9
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