@MisterBill2 Do you use an antenna selector switch to isolate and ground your antenna when not in use? Or a surge device on your antenna leads and did you take any damage to your rigs? I know some guys who will even disconnect their coax outside the house when not in use to prevent damage.

 

@MisterBill2 Do you use an antenna selector switch to isolate and ground your antenna when not in use? Or a surge device on your antenna leads and did you take any damage to your rigs? I know some guys who will even disconnect their coax outside the house when not in use to prevent damage.

I disconnect the antenna lead from the radio and I unplug the radio power supply. So the radio has been completely floating for both of the direct hits on my tower. But neither the Diamond X500 nor the Ring survived the hits.

 

One thing to keep in mind regarding grounding that is struck by lighting. The heat created from the lighting can cause the soil in contact to glassify. Once this has occurred the ground in the soil is now a high resistance contact and the ground rod should be replaced asap as it is no longer an acceptable path to ground.

 

One thing to keep in mind regarding grounding that is struck by lighting. The heat created from the lighting can cause the soil in contact to glassify. Once this has occurred the ground in the soil is now a high resistance contact and the ground rod should be replaced asap as it is no longer an acceptable path to ground.

Certainly in some areas that is a problem. In my area there is so much organic material that it does not happen that way.