First thing and foremost - switches are mostly not relevant to protection. Energy that can travel 1000' through the sky is likely to continue across most switches. So, the utmost of safety is what you indicated you did - disconnect. By disconnect, I mean either disconnect outside the building, leaving the feed on the ground or leave the feed connected to a copper plate that is in turn connected to an 8' deep ground stake. On the inside of the house, disconnect the lines from that plate and leave them on the floor. Another such stake near the feed point of the antenna is also a great idea. If it's possible to lower the antenna when not in use, that's a great idea. This should be the default when not in use.
You have the belief that no grounding system is perfectly effective (for all imaginable strikes) - maybe, but a good grounding system is far better than foolishness. A grounding system, or an antenna is not a "lightning magnet". If it doesn't strike it won't. If it does it will and the grounding system assures the energy will be less likely to cause harm. Some places and circumstances are more or less likely but everywhere is possible. If that possibility happens, a good grounding system is why it is likely to be survived. A key thing to understand is that when Lightning strikes in nature, all the energy travels along the surface of the ground. It can do this for many feet and be lethal doing it. Anything that stands along the radius from the point of the strike (one part closer and the other further) is in danger. Four legged animals, having more distant contact points, more dangerous. The purpose of a ground stake (8' straight down) is to channel the electricity deep, rather than along the surface. Don't use emotional theories. Read the lightning mitigation and grounding books offered by the ARRL. Use UL approved conductors and stakes. Do not use your homes electrical service ground stake. Keep that separate. All the above is a "cliffs notes" and so is anything else posted here. Read the books. Ask senior members of a local club, to review your plan. W1GCF Geoff ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
