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Re: [TenTec] Grounds

To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Grounds
From: "Bob McGraw - K4TAX" <RMcGraw@Blomand.net>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 19 May 2014 06:18:23 -0500
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>


All in all this lightning protection stuff relies on "mitigation". Yes we employ systems and methods to minimize the damage. With ones station sitting there, look at the multiple paths available for current flow. For the most part, there's nothing done that will adequately dispel a lightning strike. Just try to take most of the energy outside and keep it there.

73
Bob, K4TAX





----- Original Message ----- From: "Cecil" <chacuff@cableone.net> To: <n4py3@earthlink.net>; "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2014 11:09 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Grounds


Dang...and I've been thinking all these years the work we do at all these commercial transmitter sites has been doing some good....

Guess I need to look for other work....

Cecil
K5DL

Sent from my iPad

On May 18, 2014, at 3:43 PM, Carl Moreschi <n4py3@earthlink.net> wrote:

My experience is not far from this article. I have never connected any piece of ham equipment to a special ground with the ground lug. I don't ground my antennas when not in use either. If the ground from my antennas comes into the house, I don't want that ground to bring lightning surges into my home. At the first hint of a thunder storm, I have a single plug I remove that removes all external AC from my station. I also have a plate at the window where all my antennas enter the house. I disconnect all my connections to that plate for storm protection. The only protection that really works for lightning is complete disconnection from the outside world, including grounds. Remember if your ground just has .01 ohm and you get a 100,000 volt lightning strike, you still get a 1000 volt difference across the ground wire. So it is futile to think you can ground something struck by lightning and keep the voltage low.

I have been in North Carolina for the past 40 years and this is what works for me. North Carolina is second only to Florida in annual lightning strikes.

Carl Moreschi N4PY
58 Hogwood Rd
Louisburg, NC 27549
www.n4py.com

On 5/18/2014 4:17 PM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
Interesting article.
I particularly loved his piece on SWR.  AMEN!

I am not knowledgeable enough on grounding to comment on his recommendation;
I'll leave that for others.
However there was one bit that does annoy me.
It is very dangerous to take one's own experience (even if it is over 39
years) and apply that in general to the rest of the world.  "I've been
driving a car for 39 years. I am a cautious driver. Never had an accident.
Therefore I see no need for a seatbelt, airbag or even insurance."

My method in protecting from a lightning strike is an outdoor connection. I
simply unscrew the coax and throw it out into the yard (after placing a
plastic protective cover over the PL).

I also unplug ALL equipment from the wall - but I learned something from
this document.
I have not been disconnecting my ground which goes to a stake just outside
the house.
Will do that in the future.

73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt am Main)


-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Allen
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2014 9:17 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: [TenTec] Grounds

While perusing eHam for another topic, I ran across this article which I
share to provoke comments.

http://www.eham.net/articles/21383

73 de W6OGC  Jim Allen
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