Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Apologies if this has been suggested already, I've got too many irons in the fire and might have missed/forgotten if this was earlier said; I no longer use a wired router, all my computers are wireless so there is no physical ethernet connection to any computer. I use the Netgear A6210 USB wireless Rx/Tx dongle and it is fast, very fast. Ethernet directly connected I get 300 Mbps download from the cable. With the Netgear dongle, I also get 300 Mbps. I lose nothing and eliminate that lightning path. As to the cable itself coming to the house, I have replaced the cable company's grounded F81 Barrel Connector between the drop line and the house with a 75 ohm grounded surge protector bought at DXEngineering, I use them on my two HI-Z RX arrays as well. After taking a hit to my just out of warranty, McIntosh tube preamp's USB this year, (forcing me to either pay big $ in repair or go with Toslink, I chose the glass toslink. (For audio only, the Toslink is excellent but with this system Toslink only offers one way communication from the computer to the preamp and some home entertainment utilizes two way communication). Fortunately, my needs don't require this. Those 75 ohm cable lines must be protected, just like our communications coax. 73, Gary KA1J > very good suggestions Wayne. I work in the Communications field and > have for 40 years. I have seen massive amounts of lightning damage, > regardless of grounding , protection, etc etc. If you take a direct > hit.. something is going to fry and that´s it. > > I unplug antennas, power cords AND Ethernet Cables to all computers in > my ham shack. I must confess however, I have not disconnected the USB > and RS232 lines. I sort of figure if the power cord and ethernet > cables to my computer are disconnected, the path for the power surge > is eliminated. BUT.. guess it would be better to be sure. And btw, yes > my computers are all grounded very well. > > thanks for the heads up > > Ronnie W5SUM > > > -Original Message- > From: Wayne Burdick > Sent: Monday, October 29, 2018 10:08 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector > Cc: k...@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios > gear > > Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that > have been damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective > circuitry. You can take steps to reduce your own risk. > > 1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is > anticipated. But in our experience, the most common source of damage, > by far, is from an attached computer. Computers themselves often fail > due to lightning strikes. They can also act as conduits for surges to > other gear. Just to emphasize this point: Customers often say "I > disconnected everything but the USB cable to the computer...," which > left the interface to their radio exposed. > > Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports > (accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and > RS232 ports are the most susceptible. > > 2. Some stations have an ad-hoc ground system and little or no ESD or > surge protection. If you haven't already taken protective measures, we > strongly recommend reading this article, which goes into some detail > regarding how lightning finds its way in: > >http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2017 >/Chusid-Morgan.pdf > > At the very least, be sure your PC and other gear share a short, > heavy, common ground. > > 3. As for protecting your PC, here's a good starting point: > > https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > > > __ > 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 w5...@comcast.net > > __ > 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 g...@ka1j.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Yep, all true. The somewhat insidious thing about precip static is that it can be totally innocuous, unlike T-storms, lightning strikes, and the like. We hadn't even noted that it had begun snowing, fairly hard, outside the tent, when the first rx quit. The "frying bacon" and the tiny little "grass" on the baseline of the panadapter should have been a clue to "look outside" to a bunch of OF's with that much accumulated experience ... sadly it wasn't. OTOH, QRN from multiple distant T-storms is just that ... annoying noise in the receiver with no danger. Likewise with power line hash. Of all the forms of QRN, and excluding a lightning strike [which is hard to ignore], precip static can be the most dangerous to equipment and go unrecognized by new folk [and a handful of OT's]. In this age with a dearth of Elmers standing next to you, that function seems to have migrated to email lists like this one, various fora, and various wiki's. I don't think they can replace W6RMK, with my latest electronic creation [usually a TX] on his bench, explaining how the grid of the PA rectifies some of the RF waveform and charges a capacitor that slowly leaks off through an appropriately named "grid leak" resistor. [:-) 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County On 10/31/2018 4:14 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Skip, Yes, there are various causes of static on the feedline, but static is static. It is a voltage charge on the feedline and it can damage equipment. The source may be wind blowing on your antenna, rain or snow that carries charged particles, or nearby lightning. No matter what the cause, it can produce a significant voltage across your feedline. It does not take a direct lightning hit to produce damaging voltages on your antenna feedline. A direct hit can cause damage to house and home and any equipment in that home, but there are other times when the accumulated static voltage on any feedline can cause damage to your ham equipment. I recall an event many years ago when I got that lesson. I had several antennas in the basement shack unterminated and just waiting to be connected. The wind was blowing and I thought nothing of it until I picked up an open feedline and placed it near my Heathkit HW101 intending to connect it - sparks flew as the coax got close to the chassis! That was a warning to me - disconnect and ground all my feedlines when not in use. If not grounded, at least a bleed resistor across the feedlines to discharge any built up static. 73, Don W3FPR __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Skip, Yes, there are various causes of static on the feedline, but static is static. It is a voltage charge on the feedline and it can damage equipment. The source may be wind blowing on your antenna, rain or snow that carries charged particles, or nearby lightning. No matter what the cause, it can produce a significant voltage across your feedline. It does not take a direct lightning hit to produce damaging voltages on your antenna feedline. A direct hit can cause damage to house and home and any equipment in that home, but there are other times when the accumulated static voltage on any feedline can cause damage to your ham equipment. I recall an event many years ago when I got that lesson. I had several antennas in the basement shack unterminated and just waiting to be connected. The wind was blowing and I thought nothing of it until I picked up an open feedline and placed it near my Heathkit HW101 intending to connect it - sparks flew as the coax got close to the chassis! That was a warning to me - disconnect and ground all my feedlines when not in use. If not grounded, at least a bleed resistor across the feedlines to discharge any built up static. 73, Don W3FPR On 10/31/2018 6:42 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: Hmmm ... There seem to be different flavors of static. My reference was to what is often called "precipitation static" [rain, snow, maybe hail] and which can sometimes also be caused by wind blowing sand/dust past the antenna. It sounds like bacon frying in the receiver. Each drop or snowflake acquires a minuscule charge falling or blowing which discharges into the antenna on contact. The typical semiconductor devices in radio front ends these days exhibit a nearly infinite impedance to "ground" and a tiny capacitance. The constant little pulses from the static charge that capacitance with essentially no discharge path. That's what fried the 1st 760 II and then, predictably, the second one. There is also the combined "static" caused by distant thunderstorms. INT QRN: "Are you troubled by static" QRN: "I am troubled by static" which is different than "static" caused by corona or leakage on a high voltage power transmission line. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Hmmm ... There seem to be different flavors of static. My reference was to what is often called "precipitation static" [rain, snow, maybe hail] and which can sometimes also be caused by wind blowing sand/dust past the antenna. It sounds like bacon frying in the receiver. Each drop or snowflake acquires a minuscule charge falling or blowing which discharges into the antenna on contact. The typical semiconductor devices in radio front ends these days exhibit a nearly infinite impedance to "ground" and a tiny capacitance. The constant little pulses from the static charge that capacitance with essentially no discharge path. That's what fried the 1st 760 II and then, predictably, the second one. There is also the combined "static" caused by distant thunderstorms. INT QRN: "Are you troubled by static" QRN: "I am troubled by static" which is different than "static" caused by corona or leakage on a high voltage power transmission line. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County PS: For those about to tell me "nearly infinite" is a meaningless term, save the BW. I know, I hold a math degree. Just using a little editorial license. On 10/31/2018 3:10 PM, ab2tc wrote: Hi, It's a dead short circuit for DC and low frequencies thanks to the SWR bridge (it has a voltage transformer directly across the antenna terminals). There seems to be different opinions on what is meant by "static". To me it means a slowly varying DC voltage caused by static buildup in the clouds during or before thunderstorms. The K3(S) is perfectly protected against these. Some people include the transients that are caused by actual lightning strikes nearby in the definition of "static". The K3(S) is not protected against these as they have very strong high frequency content. For these extra protection is needed as discussed several places in this thread. I have a number of Alpha-Delta switches in my antenna system and they have gas discharge tubes, but frankly I have no idea how effective they are. AB2TC - Knut wayne burdick wrote On Oct 30, 2018, at 12:50 PM, Fred Jensen k6dgw@ wrote: Does my K3 have a static bleed across the antenna terminal(s)? Yes. Wayne N6KR -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ 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 k6...@foothill.net __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Hi, It's a dead short circuit for DC and low frequencies thanks to the SWR bridge (it has a voltage transformer directly across the antenna terminals). There seems to be different opinions on what is meant by "static". To me it means a slowly varying DC voltage caused by static buildup in the clouds during or before thunderstorms. The K3(S) is perfectly protected against these. Some people include the transients that are caused by actual lightning strikes nearby in the definition of "static". The K3(S) is not protected against these as they have very strong high frequency content. For these extra protection is needed as discussed several places in this thread. I have a number of Alpha-Delta switches in my antenna system and they have gas discharge tubes, but frankly I have no idea how effective they are. AB2TC - Knut wayne burdick wrote >> On Oct 30, 2018, at 12:50 PM, Fred Jensen > k6dgw@ > wrote: >> >> Does my K3 have a static bleed across the antenna terminal(s)? > > Yes. > > Wayne > N6KR > -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
With 26 years experience in USAF communications and even more in commercial broadcasting, I disconnect all wire inputs to my station's components when the threat of thunderstorms arises. If planned well, this is easy to accomplish. I have made significant money repairing commercial broadcast transmitters which were installed properly but still suffered damage during direct hits to their antennas. That damage was very rare, but still occurred. I disconnect my DSL router's wall wart and phone line inputs along with antenna, rotator control, and other cables that enter through the single point protected/bonded/grounded panel. That has worked every time! If lightning comes within ten miles, I disconnect. If away from home, all my valuable electronics are disconnected. I do the same for snow storms which with blowing wind also generate significant static electricity. Why take the chance? If I were to run a remote system, like my race car, I would be ready to walk away from either in spite of taking appropriate preventive measures and accept the loss. 73, Bill, K8TE -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
I have homemade adjustable spark gaps on my open wire line. It’s important to realize that voltages from normal operation on open wire lines can be quite high. My installation is atypical since I run a very high SWR on some bands, but the TLW program calculates as much as 7kv at the entrance to my shack on 40 meters! I saw some serious arcs before I got everything sized properly. I got a couple of 10 meg 10kv resistors from Mouser to use as static drains. Victor 4X6GP > On 31 Oct 2018, at 1:18, Fred Jensen wrote: > > Open wire feedlines used to have "spark balls" for lightning protection on > high power transmitter installations. Admittedly, the transmitters used tubes. > > 73, > > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > >> On 10/30/2018 2:32 PM, rv6amark via Elecraft wrote: >> Re: "Spark plugs fire at 12,000 to 25,000 Volts. Some require as much as >> 45,000 V." >> >> That is at the pressure inside the combustion chamber. At atmospheric >> pressure, they fire at much lower voltages; however, Walter's point is still >> valid. Turn on voltage is far more reliable with gas discharge tubes. >> Sparkplugs were probably more helpful with tube gear than with today's >> solid state gear. >> >> Mark >> KE6BB >> >> >> null >> __ >> 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 k6...@foothill.net >> >> -- >> This message has been scanned by E.F.A. Project and is believed to be clean. >> >> > > __ > 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 k2vco@gmail.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Open wire feedlines used to have "spark balls" for lightning protection on high power transmitter installations. Admittedly, the transmitters used tubes. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County On 10/30/2018 2:32 PM, rv6amark via Elecraft wrote: Re: "Spark plugs fire at 12,000 to 25,000 Volts. Some require as much as 45,000 V." That is at the pressure inside the combustion chamber. At atmospheric pressure, they fire at much lower voltages; however, Walter's point is still valid. Turn on voltage is far more reliable with gas discharge tubes. Sparkplugs were probably more helpful with tube gear than with today's solid state gear. Mark KE6BB null __ 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 k6...@foothill.net -- This message has been scanned by E.F.A. Project and is believed to be clean. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Yes my grounding system is NEC compliant. And yes my insurance company is happy. Their last inspection they asked that I replace 5 or 6 boards on the Deck. >From a 29 years ago memory I think I had around 2K total plus sweat equity installing the commercial type ground system. That 2K is small potatoes compared to what equipment it is protecting. The whole house is protected from all other points of entry as well as the towers. Power Lines, CATV lines, Phone Lines, Small Dish TV lines and anything else that comes to our homes. Then if one adds up a simple Ham Shack with radio computer monitor TV sets throughout the house Microwave ovens Stoves Washing machines all the other stuff we have in today's homes. If you don't want to be replacing the stuff possibly all of it then all of us should have home protection. Either do it properly depending on your sytem or suffer the wrath of Mother Nature. 73 John k9uwa > Agreed. And your grounding system alone certainly cost several > thousand dollars more than most ham stations. > > I will also add, if your ground system, implementation and methods do > not comply with NEC, in the event of any loss, your insurance company > can simply say "it has been nice doing business with you. Your coverage > is hear by CANCELED". > > Although living TN, my QTH is 500 ft above average terrain out to 35 > miles. I understand living on a hill, grounding and lightning. Do it > correct to minimize damage. Do it wrong or incomplete and expect to encounter > a loss, up to and even the house, and hopefully no loss of life. > > 73 > > Bob, K4TAX > > > On 10/30/2018 11:17 AM, John K9UWA wrote: > > In the fall of 1988 I installed a 160 foot tower. I already had a 120 foot > > tower and an 88 foot tower In the spring of 1989 the tall tower was hit by a > > direct hit and it was about 10K to repair all the damage. My homeowners > > insurance company was not at all impressed. I was given Assigned Risk BIG SNIP > > > > 73 > > John k9uwa John Goller, K9UWA & Jean Goller, N9PXF Antique Radio Restorations k9...@arrl.net Visit our Web Site at: http://www.JohnJeanAntiqueRadio.com 4836 Ranch Road Leo, IN 46765 USA 1-260-637-6426 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Re: "Spark plugs fire at 12,000 to 25,000 Volts. Some require as much as 45,000 V." That is at the pressure inside the combustion chamber. At atmospheric pressure, they fire at much lower voltages; however, Walter's point is still valid. Turn on voltage is far more reliable with gas discharge tubes. Sparkplugs were probably more helpful with tube gear than with today's solid state gear. Mark KE6BB null __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
> On Oct 30, 2018, at 12:50 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: > > Does my K3 have a static bleed across the antenna terminal(s)? Yes. Wayne N6KR > A number of years ago, our CQP team in Alpine County fried the front end of > an IC-760 II in a snow storm [precip static]. Then, with an accumulated 300 > or so years of amateur radio experience on the team, we replaced it with a > spare ... and fried that one too. [:-) I have a coax Tee with a 100K > resistor in a PL259 on my K3, just wondering if it's necessary. > > 73, > > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > > On 10/29/2018 8:08 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that have >> been damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective circuitry. You can >> take steps to reduce your own risk. >> >> 1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is anticipated. >> But in our experience, the most common source of damage, by far, is from an >> attached computer. Computers themselves often fail due to lightning strikes. >> They can also act as conduits for surges to other gear. Just to emphasize >> this point: Customers often say "I disconnected everything but the USB cable >> to the computer...," which left the interface to their radio exposed. >> >> Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports >> (accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and RS232 >> ports are the most susceptible. >> >> 2. Some stations have an ad-hoc ground system and little or no ESD or surge >> protection. If you haven't already taken protective measures, we strongly >> recommend reading this article, which goes into some detail regarding how >> lightning finds its way in: >> >> >> http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2017/Chusid-Morgan.pdf >> >> At the very least, be sure your PC and other gear share a short, heavy, >> common ground. >> >> 3. As for protecting your PC, here's a good starting point: >> >> https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm >> >> 73, >> Wayne >> N6KR >> > > __ > 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 n...@elecraft.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Spark plugs fire at 12,000 to 25,000 Volts. Some require as much as 45,000 V. I’d recommend something in addition to spark plugs. Gas discharge tubes have a turn-on voltage of 150 V to 2000 V, depending on the model. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Oct 30, 2018, at 1:29 PM, Mel Farrer via Elecraft > wrote: > > All this is good info. Some right on and some just there. From decades of > using wire antennas with 600 ohm ladder line to a switch yard for selection, > I use the old FORD approach. All ladder lines have back to back old Ford > spark plugs in front of all the switching. The common point on the two plugs > goes to the tower ground network. So even when the antenna is not selected > the FORD's do their thing. No failures to date except the the pole Pig on > the service pole to the house, it took a direct hit and blew a hole in the > side of it. Needless to say we were then on Generator back for a while. > Forgot to say the spark plugs have 5 w 1 Meg resistor across them to > ground. > Mel, K6KBE > > From: Fred Jensen > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 12:58 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear > > Does my K3 have a static bleed across the antenna terminal(s)? A number > of years ago, our CQP team in Alpine County fried the front end of an > IC-760 II in a snow storm [precip static]. Then, with an accumulated > 300 or so years of amateur radio experience on the team, we replaced it > with a spare ... and fried that one too. [:-) I have a coax Tee with a > 100K resistor in a PL259 on my K3, just wondering if it's necessary. > > 73, > > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > > On 10/29/2018 8:08 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that have >> been damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective circuitry. You can >> take steps to reduce your own risk. >> >> 1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is anticipated. >> But in our experience, the most common source of damage, by far, is from an >> attached computer. Computers themselves often fail due to lightning strikes. >> They can also act as conduits for surges to other gear. Just to emphasize >> this point: Customers often say "I disconnected everything but the USB cable >> to the computer...," which left the interface to their radio exposed. >> >> Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports >> (accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and RS232 >> ports are the most susceptible. >> >> 2. Some stations have an ad-hoc ground system and little or no ESD or surge >> protection. If you haven't already taken protective measures, we strongly >> recommend reading this article, which goes into some detail regarding how >> lightning finds its way in: >> >> >> http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2017/Chusid-Morgan.pdf >> >> At the very least, be sure your PC and other gear share a short, heavy, >> common ground. >> >> 3. As for protecting your PC, here's a good starting point: >> >> https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm >> >> 73, >> Wayne >> N6KR >> > > __ > 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 farrerfo...@yahoo.com > > > __ > 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 wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
All this is good info. Some right on and some just there. From decades of using wire antennas with 600 ohm ladder line to a switch yard for selection, I use the old FORD approach. All ladder lines have back to back old Ford spark plugs in front of all the switching. The common point on the two plugs goes to the tower ground network. So even when the antenna is not selected the FORD's do their thing. No failures to date except the the pole Pig on the service pole to the house, it took a direct hit and blew a hole in the side of it. Needless to say we were then on Generator back for a while. Forgot to say the spark plugs have 5 w 1 Meg resistor across them to ground. Mel, K6KBE From: Fred Jensen To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 12:58 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear Does my K3 have a static bleed across the antenna terminal(s)? A number of years ago, our CQP team in Alpine County fried the front end of an IC-760 II in a snow storm [precip static]. Then, with an accumulated 300 or so years of amateur radio experience on the team, we replaced it with a spare ... and fried that one too. [:-) I have a coax Tee with a 100K resistor in a PL259 on my K3, just wondering if it's necessary. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County On 10/29/2018 8:08 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that have been > damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective circuitry. You can take > steps to reduce your own risk. > > 1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is anticipated. > But in our experience, the most common source of damage, by far, is from an > attached computer. Computers themselves often fail due to lightning strikes. > They can also act as conduits for surges to other gear. Just to emphasize > this point: Customers often say "I disconnected everything but the USB cable > to the computer...," which left the interface to their radio exposed. > > Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports > (accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and RS232 > ports are the most susceptible. > > 2. Some stations have an ad-hoc ground system and little or no ESD or surge > protection. If you haven't already taken protective measures, we strongly > recommend reading this article, which goes into some detail regarding how > lightning finds its way in: > > >http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2017/Chusid-Morgan.pdf > > At the very least, be sure your PC and other gear share a short, heavy, > common ground. > > 3. As for protecting your PC, here's a good starting point: > > https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > __ 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 farrerfo...@yahoo.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
If one used a KAT500, as I do, it has static bleed resistors on all antenna inputs. Bob, K4TAX Sent from my iPhone > On Oct 30, 2018, at 2:50 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: > > Does my K3 have a static bleed across the antenna terminal(s)? A number of > years ago, our CQP team in Alpine County fried the front end of an IC-760 II > in a snow storm [precip static]. Then, with an accumulated 300 or so years > of amateur radio experience on the team, we replaced it with a spare ... and > fried that one too. [:-) I have a coax Tee with a 100K resistor in a PL259 > on my K3, just wondering if it's necessary. > > 73, > > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > >> On 10/29/2018 8:08 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that have >> been damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective circuitry. You can >> take steps to reduce your own risk. >> >> 1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is anticipated. >> But in our experience, the most common source of damage, by far, is from an >> attached computer. Computers themselves often fail due to lightning strikes. >> They can also act as conduits for surges to other gear. Just to emphasize >> this point: Customers often say "I disconnected everything but the USB cable >> to the computer...," which left the interface to their radio exposed. >> >> Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports >> (accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and RS232 >> ports are the most susceptible. >> >> 2. Some stations have an ad-hoc ground system and little or no ESD or surge >> protection. If you haven't already taken protective measures, we strongly >> recommend reading this article, which goes into some detail regarding how >> lightning finds its way in: >> >> >> http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2017/Chusid-Morgan.pdf >> >> At the very least, be sure your PC and other gear share a short, heavy, >> common ground. >> >> 3. As for protecting your PC, here's a good starting point: >> >> https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm >> >> 73, >> Wayne >> N6KR >> > > __ > 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 rmcg...@blomand.net __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Does my K3 have a static bleed across the antenna terminal(s)? A number of years ago, our CQP team in Alpine County fried the front end of an IC-760 II in a snow storm [precip static]. Then, with an accumulated 300 or so years of amateur radio experience on the team, we replaced it with a spare ... and fried that one too. [:-) I have a coax Tee with a 100K resistor in a PL259 on my K3, just wondering if it's necessary. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County On 10/29/2018 8:08 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that have been damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective circuitry. You can take steps to reduce your own risk. 1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is anticipated. But in our experience, the most common source of damage, by far, is from an attached computer. Computers themselves often fail due to lightning strikes. They can also act as conduits for surges to other gear. Just to emphasize this point: Customers often say "I disconnected everything but the USB cable to the computer...," which left the interface to their radio exposed. Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports (accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and RS232 ports are the most susceptible. 2. Some stations have an ad-hoc ground system and little or no ESD or surge protection. If you haven't already taken protective measures, we strongly recommend reading this article, which goes into some detail regarding how lightning finds its way in: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2017/Chusid-Morgan.pdf At the very least, be sure your PC and other gear share a short, heavy, common ground. 3. As for protecting your PC, here's a good starting point: https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
On 2018-10-30 9:54 AM, Barry wrote: > One last comment: I suggest that an UPS be used just for the surge protection from A/C and other motors on the line. A large motor can throw quite a surge onto the line even with no lightning to add to the voltage. An UPS is really cheap insurance to protect your station, less than $100 to protect a few $1000. Beware! Most of what are sold as "UPS" are really "SPS" (standby power supplies). An SPS does not supply the load from battery and inverter all the time. Instead, the load is connected directly to the line and only switched to the battery/inverter when the line drops below about 70% of nominal voltage (typically 80 V on a 120V system). An SPS has little or no surge protection - typically a few MOV devices that K9YC has rightly identified as causing more damage than preventing in sensitive electronic equipment! 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 2018-10-30 9:54 AM, Barry wrote: Wayne, Good advice! I use a combination of preventatives. First, I buffer my power going to any sensitive electronics. I use a battery backup system, an UPS, to buffer the power. If there is a surge, the battery absorbs it. Second, I believe you will ultimately have a problem if you leave your radios connected to you antenna(s). So, I disconnect all of my station from my antennas during periods when lightning is expected. I have learned my lesson from having lost equipment. Since I started with this setup, I have had no problem, and it is far less expensive than a full blown lightning protection system. One last comment: I suggest that an UPS be used just for the surge protection from A/C and other motors on the line. A large motor can throw quite a surge onto the line even with no lightning to add to the voltage. An UPS is really cheap insurance to protect your station, less than $100 to protect a few $1000. 73, Barry K3NDM __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
__ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
This is key. I spent most of my professional life as Director of Engineering in TV stations. Our towers were hit in nearly every thunderstorm (1000 - 1600 foot towers are targets) but never had any lightning damage to towers, antennas or equipment because the towers were properly grounded, all the feedlines were bonded to the tower, ground system and building and the buildings had a complete perimeter ground. The same holds true for amateur installations ... install a proper lightning ground on the tower(s), bond the feedlines to the towers at the top, bottom and every 100 +/- feet. Install a complete perimeter ground for the house; bond it to the power line entrance ground *and* bond the feedlines to the perimeter ground ring where they cross it. Bond all the equipment chassis together *INCLUDING* all computers, network switches, routers, telephone equipment, etc. If you decide you can't afford to install proper bonding and grounding, be prepared to replace all the electronic equipment in your home and shack when your number comes up. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 2018-10-30 12:17 PM, John K9UWA wrote: In the fall of 1988 I installed a 160 foot tower. I already had a 120 foot tower and an 88 foot tower In the spring of 1989 the tall tower was hit by a direct hit and it was about 10K to repair all the damage. My homeowners insurance company was not at all impressed. I was given Assigned Risk Homeowners insurance and they also told me. You have 30 days to either get all those antennas and towers on the ground or else install a "Commercial Grounding System" or else your insurance is cancelled. At that time I am sure the mortgage company woudn't have been at all impressed. During the summer of 1989 I installed. 100 Ground Rods some in a radial pattern away from the towers and some in a perimeter ground around the house. The Radial pattern from the towers is in excess of 1/3rd the total height of the tall tower. ground rods are all 16 feet apart. All are connected by 3/8" inside diameter copper tubing silver soldered to the ground rods. A total of about 1200 feet of copper tubing. I installed many Polyphaser protection devices on coax cable lines Rotors 5 of them on the three towers relay boxes to switch the 30 some yagi antennas on the towers and wire low band antennas. Hundreds of wires connecting all the relay switchboxes that select whatever antenna configuration you might want. In addition to all of the above we have Whole House Protection device on the main breaker box. And an additional one on a Sub Breaker box that is in the hamshack room. All devices in the hamshack have their own grounding strap that is connected directly to the ground strap a 2 inch wide copper strap along the backside of the table that has the equipment on it. As a last line of defense each Band Coax that enters the hamshack room has one of MFJ's Arc Plug switches and I have never blown any of the arc plugs. Because I am in Florida for 6 months of the year and the station is in Northern Indiana I operate it remotely while in Florida. I am the lightning rod for the entire neighborhood. I am within a few feet of being the highest point in the county. The tall tower has had MANY direct hits since installing the commercial style ground system in 1989. I had a Hit Counter on the tower for a few years until I broke it one day while climbing on the tower. I think the counter had over 100 hits registered. To Date ZERO DAMAGE to anything in the house or on the towers. That is ZERO DAMAGE. A great big THANK YOU to the guys at Polyphaser for all the advice as to what to install and where to install it. I do have to retract one portion of the above statement. Once after a major hit the whole house protector on the main breaker box was smoking after the hit. Wife came into the shack and said that box on the breaker box is smoking. I told Jean that the box wasn't old enough to smoke. She didn't see the humor in that one. I called Polyphaser on the phone and the nice lady asked me one question. Was anything in the house damaged other than the whole house protector? I answered NO everything in the house and on the towers is all OK. I then asked her to overnite me a replacement box since it was at that time over 10 years old and finally gave its little life to allow the rest of the house ZERO DAMAGE. We were into our normal major spring time storm season. New Whole House protector arrived and was installed the next day. And to date Twenty Nine years later ZERO DAMAGE Again a big thank you to Polyphaser Turn BLITZ into BLISS. So YES a Tower can be protected from damage. When the TV stations and Radio station towers get hit they don't even go off air. Neither does my Ham Station. Copy the URL below into your favorite browser for a you tube video of my QTH. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXvRrummVFY The Video was made while we were installing a new low band receive antenna at 150 foot level on the tower. Drone and
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
On 10/30/2018 9:17 AM, John K9UWA wrote: > So YES a Tower can be protected from damage. When the TV stations and Radio > station towers get hit they don't even go off air. Neither does my Ham > Station. My firm designs communication sites for the Public Safety and Homeland Security sectors (and any others who are willing to afford us). Our standard tried-and-true site grounding systems require a ground ring buried in conductive concrete in deep trenches. Many ground rods and the leads to protected structures are cad-welded to this ring before the trenches are back-filled with earth. . Inside each equipment enclosure there is a comparable "halo" ground ring with leads to each piece of equipment, as well as entry protectors on every electrical service, communication, and antenna cable coming into the enclosure(s). This system was originally designed and refined by Tom Croda (KB6KBI - SK), a member of our firm who was a nationally-acknowledged expert in power and grounding systems for communication sites. Our clients using this system haven't lost any structures or equipment. On topic - both my CEO and myself are Elecraft users and we haven't lost any of those either. 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 VP - General Counsel & Engineering Manager CSI Telecommunications, Inc. - Consulting Engineers San Francisco, CA - Beaverton, OR __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
On 10/29/2018 8:08 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is anticipated. But in our experience, the most common source of damage, by far, is from an attached computer. Computers themselves often fail due to lightning strikes. They can also act as conduits for surges to other gear. Just to emphasize this point: Customers often say "I disconnected everything but the USB cable to the computer...," which left the interface to their radio exposed. Don't blame the computer -- it's the MOV "surge protector" that the computer is plugged into. As hams, we're fixated on antennas as entry points for lightning, but power lines, telephone lines, and CATV lines are more common entry points, and the DIFFERENTIAL voltages during a strike between interconnected equipment fries them. Several pro audio engineering colleagues who were not hams experienced damage to their networked computers from lightning strikes, and it was an issue with the large audio systems we designed for worship and performance venues. The solution is a SERIES MODE surge protector that stores the energy from a strike in an inductor, then discharges it slowly. MOVs shove the strike current onto the green wire back to the panel and ground rod, generating the differential voltage that fries equipment. Several rules. 1) Proper BONDING is FAR more important that bigger ground conductors. 2) NEVER use MOV surge protectors -- they are far more likely to CAUSE equipment destruction than to prevent it. 3) Follow NEC (the National Electric Code) for grounding and bonding. N0AX's recent ARRL book on Grounding and Bonding is excellent. I worked with him on it, and much of it is based on my tutorial talk on the topic. http://k9yc.com/GroundingAndAudio.pdf 73, Jim K9YC __ 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
[Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
So I've been here before. Had a bad lightning strike and then put a lot of effort into constructing a proper commercial grounding system around my vertical. That part worked very well. What I never expected is that the next strike would jump over the vertical, over my drive way and follow the telephone cable into the house. Even with lightning arrestors on the phone lines, it still managed to damage a lot of electronic devices all over the house (including ham gear) by lifting the ground in many places that had no connection to the phone lines. We live and learn. K9HZ __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Agreed. And your grounding system alone certainly cost several thousand dollars more than most ham stations. I will also add, if your ground system, implementation and methods do not comply with NEC, in the event of any loss, your insurance company can simply say "it has been nice doing business with you. Your coverage is hear by CANCELED". Although living TN, my QTH is 500 ft above average terrain out to 35 miles. I understand living on a hill, grounding and lightning. Do it correct to minimize damage. Do it wrong or incomplete and expect to encounter a loss, up to and even the house, and hopefully no loss of life. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 10/30/2018 11:17 AM, John K9UWA wrote: In the fall of 1988 I installed a 160 foot tower. I already had a 120 foot tower and an 88 foot tower In the spring of 1989 the tall tower was hit by a direct hit and it was about 10K to repair all the damage. My homeowners insurance company was not at all impressed. I was given Assigned Risk Homeowners insurance and they also told me. You have 30 days to either get all those antennas and towers on the ground or else install a "Commercial Grounding System" or else your insurance is cancelled. At that time I am sure the mortgage company woudn't have been at all impressed. During the summer of 1989 I installed. 100 Ground Rods some in a radial pattern away from the towers and some in a perimeter ground around the house. The Radial pattern from the towers is in excess of 1/3rd the total height of the tall tower. ground rods are all 16 feet apart. All are connected by 3/8" inside diameter copper tubing silver soldered to the ground rods. A total of about 1200 feet of copper tubing. I installed many Polyphaser protection devices on coax cable lines Rotors 5 of them on the three towers relay boxes to switch the 30 some yagi antennas on the towers and wire low band antennas. Hundreds of wires connecting all the relay switchboxes that select whatever antenna configuration you might want. In addition to all of the above we have Whole House Protection device on the main breaker box. And an additional one on a Sub Breaker box that is in the hamshack room. All devices in the hamshack have their own grounding strap that is connected directly to the ground strap a 2 inch wide copper strap along the backside of the table that has the equipment on it. As a last line of defense each Band Coax that enters the hamshack room has one of MFJ's Arc Plug switches and I have never blown any of the arc plugs. Because I am in Florida for 6 months of the year and the station is in Northern Indiana I operate it remotely while in Florida. I am the lightning rod for the entire neighborhood. I am within a few feet of being the highest point in the county. The tall tower has had MANY direct hits since installing the commercial style ground system in 1989. I had a Hit Counter on the tower for a few years until I broke it one day while climbing on the tower. I think the counter had over 100 hits registered. To Date ZERO DAMAGE to anything in the house or on the towers. That is ZERO DAMAGE. A great big THANK YOU to the guys at Polyphaser for all the advice as to what to install and where to install it. I do have to retract one portion of the above statement. Once after a major hit the whole house protector on the main breaker box was smoking after the hit. Wife came into the shack and said that box on the breaker box is smoking. I told Jean that the box wasn't old enough to smoke. She didn't see the humor in that one. I called Polyphaser on the phone and the nice lady asked me one question. Was anything in the house damaged other than the whole house protector? I answered NO everything in the house and on the towers is all OK. I then asked her to overnite me a replacement box since it was at that time over 10 years old and finally gave its little life to allow the rest of the house ZERO DAMAGE. We were into our normal major spring time storm season. New Whole House protector arrived and was installed the next day. And to date Twenty Nine years later ZERO DAMAGE Again a big thank you to Polyphaser Turn BLITZ into BLISS. So YES a Tower can be protected from damage. When the TV stations and Radio station towers get hit they don't even go off air. Neither does my Ham Station. Copy the URL below into your favorite browser for a you tube video of my QTH. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXvRrummVFY The Video was made while we were installing a new low band receive antenna at 150 foot level on the tower. Drone and GoPro headband cameras. Yes that crane would do 275 feet from it's base. Yes that is ME in the Man Cage along with Dan one of the Fruchey Iron workers. I wearing the GoPro headband camera and my friend Dino Raptis KR9V operating his Drone. Thanks to Dino KR9V as all the video equipment is his and his editing to produce the You Tube Video 73 John k9uwa John Goller, K9UWA & Jean Goller, N9PXF Antique Radio Restorations
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
In the fall of 1988 I installed a 160 foot tower. I already had a 120 foot tower and an 88 foot tower In the spring of 1989 the tall tower was hit by a direct hit and it was about 10K to repair all the damage. My homeowners insurance company was not at all impressed. I was given Assigned Risk Homeowners insurance and they also told me. You have 30 days to either get all those antennas and towers on the ground or else install a "Commercial Grounding System" or else your insurance is cancelled. At that time I am sure the mortgage company woudn't have been at all impressed. During the summer of 1989 I installed. 100 Ground Rods some in a radial pattern away from the towers and some in a perimeter ground around the house. The Radial pattern from the towers is in excess of 1/3rd the total height of the tall tower. ground rods are all 16 feet apart. All are connected by 3/8" inside diameter copper tubing silver soldered to the ground rods. A total of about 1200 feet of copper tubing. I installed many Polyphaser protection devices on coax cable lines Rotors 5 of them on the three towers relay boxes to switch the 30 some yagi antennas on the towers and wire low band antennas. Hundreds of wires connecting all the relay switchboxes that select whatever antenna configuration you might want. In addition to all of the above we have Whole House Protection device on the main breaker box. And an additional one on a Sub Breaker box that is in the hamshack room. All devices in the hamshack have their own grounding strap that is connected directly to the ground strap a 2 inch wide copper strap along the backside of the table that has the equipment on it. As a last line of defense each Band Coax that enters the hamshack room has one of MFJ's Arc Plug switches and I have never blown any of the arc plugs. Because I am in Florida for 6 months of the year and the station is in Northern Indiana I operate it remotely while in Florida. I am the lightning rod for the entire neighborhood. I am within a few feet of being the highest point in the county. The tall tower has had MANY direct hits since installing the commercial style ground system in 1989. I had a Hit Counter on the tower for a few years until I broke it one day while climbing on the tower. I think the counter had over 100 hits registered. To Date ZERO DAMAGE to anything in the house or on the towers. That is ZERO DAMAGE. A great big THANK YOU to the guys at Polyphaser for all the advice as to what to install and where to install it. I do have to retract one portion of the above statement. Once after a major hit the whole house protector on the main breaker box was smoking after the hit. Wife came into the shack and said that box on the breaker box is smoking. I told Jean that the box wasn't old enough to smoke. She didn't see the humor in that one. I called Polyphaser on the phone and the nice lady asked me one question. Was anything in the house damaged other than the whole house protector? I answered NO everything in the house and on the towers is all OK. I then asked her to overnite me a replacement box since it was at that time over 10 years old and finally gave its little life to allow the rest of the house ZERO DAMAGE. We were into our normal major spring time storm season. New Whole House protector arrived and was installed the next day. And to date Twenty Nine years later ZERO DAMAGE Again a big thank you to Polyphaser Turn BLITZ into BLISS. So YES a Tower can be protected from damage. When the TV stations and Radio station towers get hit they don't even go off air. Neither does my Ham Station. Copy the URL below into your favorite browser for a you tube video of my QTH. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXvRrummVFY The Video was made while we were installing a new low band receive antenna at 150 foot level on the tower. Drone and GoPro headband cameras. Yes that crane would do 275 feet from it's base. Yes that is ME in the Man Cage along with Dan one of the Fruchey Iron workers. I wearing the GoPro headband camera and my friend Dino Raptis KR9V operating his Drone. Thanks to Dino KR9V as all the video equipment is his and his editing to produce the You Tube Video 73 John k9uwa John Goller, K9UWA & Jean Goller, N9PXF Antique Radio Restorations k9...@arrl.net Visit our Web Site at: http://www.JohnJeanAntiqueRadio.com 4836 Ranch Road Leo, IN 46765 USA 1-260-637-6426 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Wayne, Good advice! I use a combination of preventatives. First, I buffer my power going to any sensitive electronics. I use a battery backup system, an UPS, to buffer the power. If there is a surge, the battery absorbs it. Second, I believe you will ultimately have a problem if you leave your radios connected to you antenna(s). So, I disconnect all of my station from my antennas during periods when lightning is expected. I have learned my lesson from having lost equipment. Since I started with this setup, I have had no problem, and it is far less expensive than a full blown lightning protection system. One last comment: I suggest that an UPS be used just for the surge protection from A/C and other motors on the line. A large motor can throw quite a surge onto the line even with no lightning to add to the voltage. An UPS is really cheap insurance to protect your station, less than $100 to protect a few $1000. 73, Barry K3NDM -- Original Message -- From: "Wayne Burdick" To: "Elecraft Reflector" Cc: "k...@yahoogroups.com" Sent: 10/29/2018 11:08:39 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that have been damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective circuitry. You can take steps to reduce your own risk. 1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is anticipated. But in our experience, the most common source of damage, by far, is from an attached computer. Computers themselves often fail due to lightning strikes. They can also act as conduits for surges to other gear. Just to emphasize this point: Customers often say "I disconnected everything but the USB cable to the computer...," which left the interface to their radio exposed. Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports (accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and RS232 ports are the most susceptible. 2. Some stations have an ad-hoc ground system and little or no ESD or surge protection. If you haven't already taken protective measures, we strongly recommend reading this article, which goes into some detail regarding how lightning finds its way in: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2017/Chusid-Morgan.pdf At the very least, be sure your PC and other gear share a short, heavy, common ground. 3. As for protecting your PC, here's a good starting point: https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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 k3...@comcast.net __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
The word we use is "mitigation". All efforts in this regard are done to minimize damage. Note that I used "minimize damage". With lightning, "elimination of damage" is not a word or phrase we use. Thus with lightning, "mitigation" methods should be carefully considered, and in the finality of things, expect and plan for some damage. 73 Bob, K4TAX __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
For the past 30 years I have lived-in the highest point for 25 miles in any direction. I have three towers, 70 feet, 150 feet, and, until two years ago, 200 feet. I lowered the 200 foot tower to 155 feet two years ago. For the first 15 years my equipment was struck and damaged 4 times for a total of $15000 dollars in damage. This inspite of the fact that everything was grounded. I'm sure something wasn't right with the grounding systems, or this wouldn't have happened. After one strike, the drawers were welded shut on the metal desk the equipment was sitting on. At that point, 15 years ago, I built all wooden tables to sit the equipment on and started a policy of disconnecting everything that went to the outside world. I made a written checklist and followed it faithfully every time it clouded up or I had to leave the equipment for more than a few hours. I reconfigured the AC to the equipment to be fed by one circuit. I don't run an amplifier so the power load was less than 500 watts, I am sure. The AC supply for the gear comes from the inverter, a pure sine wave circuit and a 100 amp hour AGM battery. That inverter goes to the only source of AC. All computers are also powered from the same system. So when I disconnect, one AC plug removes everything from AC source. THEN I also disconnect the phone line to the house at the outside customer access box. AND I disconnect the station ground which goes through the largest power pole connector available. Now the equipment is bonded together and isolated from ground. All cables are disconnected and removed from the vicinity by several inches (a weak point, I know). Since implementing this system fifteen years ago, I have had zero lightning damage, even though I have seen direct strikes to the towers. I spent ten years of my EE design career designing lightning suppression circuits. The bottom line is, you can't prevent damage if things are connected to the outside world. I won't even sit in the same room with the gear when lightning is about. During one of the strikes, I had a turned wooden lamp sitting on the top shelf of my rig setup. I forgot to unplug it. Lightning got it and it exploded, creating 15 inch long splinters out of the lamp body. One buried itself in the wall, leaving a one inch diameter hole, which I have left as a reminder. Several other splinters flew 12 feet across the room (right through the space where I would have been sitting in my chair) and buried themselves in the back of a small couch where my wife usually sits and reads in the evenings. At the time, we were out of town. When I returned and found the scene, my first thought was that someone had broken in and trashed the place. Bottom line --- disconnect power, telephone line, ground bus, and all cables every time, no exceptions. PS-- my Mac Mini does not have a way to attach a ground wire unless I want to drill and tap a hole in the aluminum case for a ground screw. End of soapbox... 73, Dave, K4TO On Tue, Oct 30, 2018 at 6:36 AM wrote: > very good suggestions Wayne. I work in the Communications field and have > for > 40 years. I have seen massive amounts of lightning damage, regardless of > grounding , protection, etc etc. If you take a direct hit.. something is > going to fry and that’s it. > > I unplug antennas, power cords AND Ethernet Cables to all computers in my > ham shack. I must confess however, I have not disconnected the USB and > RS232 > lines. I sort of figure if the power cord and ethernet cables to my > computer > are disconnected, the path for the power surge is eliminated. BUT.. guess > it > would be better to be sure. And btw, yes my computers are all grounded > very > well. > > thanks for the heads up > > Ronnie W5SUM > > > -Original Message- > From: Wayne Burdick > Sent: Monday, October 29, 2018 10:08 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector > Cc: k...@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear > > Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that have > been damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective circuitry. You > can > take steps to reduce your own risk. > > 1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is > anticipated. > But in our experience, the most common source of damage, by far, is from > an > attached computer. Computers themselves often fail due to lightning > strikes. > They can also act as conduits for surges to other gear. Just to emphasize > this point: Customers often say "I disconnected everything but the USB > cable > to the computer...," which left the interface to their radio exposed. > > Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports > (accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and > RS232 > ports are the most susc
Re: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
very good suggestions Wayne. I work in the Communications field and have for 40 years. I have seen massive amounts of lightning damage, regardless of grounding , protection, etc etc. If you take a direct hit.. something is going to fry and that’s it. I unplug antennas, power cords AND Ethernet Cables to all computers in my ham shack. I must confess however, I have not disconnected the USB and RS232 lines. I sort of figure if the power cord and ethernet cables to my computer are disconnected, the path for the power surge is eliminated. BUT.. guess it would be better to be sure. And btw, yes my computers are all grounded very well. thanks for the heads up Ronnie W5SUM -Original Message- From: Wayne Burdick Sent: Monday, October 29, 2018 10:08 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Cc: k...@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that have been damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective circuitry. You can take steps to reduce your own risk. 1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is anticipated. But in our experience, the most common source of damage, by far, is from an attached computer. Computers themselves often fail due to lightning strikes. They can also act as conduits for surges to other gear. Just to emphasize this point: Customers often say "I disconnected everything but the USB cable to the computer...," which left the interface to their radio exposed. Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports (accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and RS232 ports are the most susceptible. 2. Some stations have an ad-hoc ground system and little or no ESD or surge protection. If you haven't already taken protective measures, we strongly recommend reading this article, which goes into some detail regarding how lightning finds its way in: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2017/Chusid-Morgan.pdf At the very least, be sure your PC and other gear share a short, heavy, common ground. 3. As for protecting your PC, here's a good starting point: https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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 w5...@comcast.net __ 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
[Elecraft] Avoiding costly lightning damage to your radios gear
Every year, especially in summer, our techs see radios come in that have been damaged by lightning, despite the radio's protective circuitry. You can take steps to reduce your own risk. 1. Many of us remember to disconnect antennas when lightning is anticipated. But in our experience, the most common source of damage, by far, is from an attached computer. Computers themselves often fail due to lightning strikes. They can also act as conduits for surges to other gear. Just to emphasize this point: Customers often say "I disconnected everything but the USB cable to the computer...," which left the interface to their radio exposed. Note: Only in rare cases have we seen surge damage via other I/O ports (accessory jack, paddle/keyer jacks, PTT IN, KEY OUT, and DC). USB and RS232 ports are the most susceptible. 2. Some stations have an ad-hoc ground system and little or no ESD or surge protection. If you haven't already taken protective measures, we strongly recommend reading this article, which goes into some detail regarding how lightning finds its way in: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2017/Chusid-Morgan.pdf At the very least, be sure your PC and other gear share a short, heavy, common ground. 3. As for protecting your PC, here's a good starting point: https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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
