Lightning rods are common sights on many houses in Europe and Asia. I have seen them in my travels. Why nobody puts lightning rods on their houses here in the USA, I have no idea. That simple device would totally prevent damage like this. At least nobody was killed.
This 31' antenna caqn be used just like your Hygain multiband antenna if you wire in a coil at it's base in the same fassion as the Hygain. I tried this and also used this on 20 meters with X=0 and a 1.2:1 SWR... First contact was Serbia... But still love my phased 40 meter vertical best:) 73 Jimmy, WX9DX
I bought a used S(v 31' antenna just to do some testing on it. I have found that by running a RF coil from the antenna wire to ground, then tapping the coil for best SWR works best with this antenna " as per static discharge and use". I also ran a 1 meg ohm resistor from the hot lead of the coaqx to ground across the coil to help discharge the antenna. At swome frequency the coil will look like an insulator " like a Coil and cap across each other, like a trap does". So use a resistor also.:)
When it comes to lightening nothing is 100% protected. According to the NFPA, during an electrical storm, you should unplug all equipment from ac recepts and ground all antenna coaxes to an earth ground. This will help to reduce if not eliminate the difference in potential and lightening strokes. In my opinion, not grounding the antenna caused the strike. Leave the coax connected to your antenna/s and ground the radio end to a ground rod. I use a grounding junction block in my shack. 73's
Tnx for your comments and for following along with my videos. You are correct and all those ideas are excellent. I wish I had followed them. From now on, I take the antenna down when not in use and disconnect the radios,etc from the mains.
I've been very lucky through the years not to have had any radio/antenna damage from lightening. I've had several hits on my property with the latest one being two years ago which hit a tree just 25 feet from my ham shack. It blew a 6 inch wide strip of bark off the tree from top to bottom. My QTH is the highest point in the county. I've seen lightening skin a coax like a snake skin and jump 3 feet off a 90 degree coax bend and go straight through a wall and kill radios. 73's
I've been very lucky through the years not to have had any radio/antenna damage from lightening. I've had several hits on my property with the latest one being two years ago which hit a tree just 25 feet from my ham shack. It blew a 6 inch wide strip of bark off the tree from top to bottom. My QTH is the highest point in the county. I've seen lightening skin a coax like a snake skin and jump 3 feet off a 90 degree coax bend and go straight through a wall and kill radios. 73's
Sorry to hear of your loss of equipment. Hopefully through making this video you will educate hundreds about the destructive power of lightning strikes. You CERTAINLY educated me concerning this, as I have been taking a lax attitude towards lightning. I will take precautions from now on. Thanks for this good video, and I hope you get your belongings replaced soon, Glad no one got injured!
Thanks for your comments and for following my videos. I really gained a new respect for lightning and now take the antenna down when I'm not using it.
I have an TH-F6A HT in the car connected with mag mount MR-77. I always wonder what I should take care with regard to lightning strike, when the weather is stormy, and its raining. Could you comment on that? In fact, I was searching for that, which is how I came across your video, which is a great one!
Although rare, it is possible for lightning to strike a mobile antenna. From what happened last time, I now take the S9 down unless it the weather is clear AND I’m using the rig. Otherwise, I have it on the ground.
On the other hand, my mobile antenna I still leave it up and attached.
@mamatalu , if your curious about mobile lightning strikes, check out the "jperson2007" here on youtube. He actually had the camera rolling when his mobile radio was struck by lightning. He also has a video documenting the resulting aftermath. As you might imagine, it isn't pretty. Check it out! :)
John, I am so sorry to hear of this. I have had many hits over the years, if there is a direct lightning hit things blow apart. I now go by the Poly Phaser Guidelines on lightning protection. That has kept the hits at bay, using single point grounding etc. I also shunt feed my verticals so that they are at ground potential. This means a 1 Meg resistor in parallel with an air wound choke to ground from the antenna. Glad everyone is ok!
Good to hear from you and for your comments. I definately need some type of lightning protection. One thing I not sure of is exactly how to ground the fiberglass pole, I guess I could put the Poly Phaser directly in the antenna line itself. The actual antenna is just a 14 ga. stranded wire inside the pole. I'll have to think about that soon. Right now I just take the antenna down if I'm not using it. ( I'm a guick learner and don't want another lightning hit)
John glad everything is ok with you and your family.
I had a bad experience today. I live outside (about 34 miles) from the earthquake area that hit VA today. Sounded like and felt like a train in my house . At first I had no idea what was taken place then I realized it was a 5.8 earthquake. Again l enjoy your ham videos trying to get on HF again myself, WA4WPG. Take Care John.
WOW! I'm glad you and the wife are OK. I noticed you list of equipment that is gone, did it get any of your shop equipment? I now have a new procedure in place. I now unplug all radio's after each use (not that I get to use them much)
My goodness John you and yours are probably still shaken up. Thank you so much for doing this video when for sure you have much on your mind right now. I also live in lightning prone area and will not take lightly the dangers involved with antennas, cables and the like. I once got hit when I tried to disconnect the cable to my TV. I jumped back and almost did a backflip over the banister! But I was fine. I am glad you are OK as well, but sorry for all the losses that you incurred. 73.
Really interesting to see the end result of the hit. Stinks you had it happen but thanks for showing this. Is there anything you would do different with your setup? Or is it one of those things that if you get a direct hit you're pretty much cooked?
Here’s what I’ve found out: With enough money you can ‘likely’ protect from a direct hit. As for me…I don’t have that much money!
Even though I did have the antenna disconnected, I will no longer leave the coax anywhere near the ground radials of the antenna. Second, I’ll disconnect the electrical main to my radio room. Finally, since the S9 is very lightweight, I intend to lower it when storms approach.
Take care…BTW: I really like following your videos.
John - so sorry to see this. Many thanks for sharing the aftermath of a lighting strike with all of us. It illustrates the power of Mother Nature for sure. I am glad you are alright. You mentioned you lost 3/4 of your shack . . . what were the losses?
Thanks for the follow up. The radios did take a pretty good hit. I lost three radios, tuners, power supply and other equipment. One of the radios was on I was on loan from Wil. (I suppose that one will be *expensive*)
I enjoyed following the videos as you and your family went on a well-deserved vacation. Looks like a great part of the country to visit.
John, I was so sorry to read this. I can only hope that your experience teaches others how much damage and destruction can be caused by lighting. I have never seen the afternath befoire and with such detail. It sure has me re-evaluating my Antennas & Gear setup. So much for "Storms coming, unhook the antenna" It just is not enough, as you have shown. I am glad you and the family are OK.
If ever there was a case of bad things happening to good people, this is it. I wish you well.
Sorry John. That is scary stuff. I sure hope the homeowners insurance will cover it. I have been thinking of getting that HAM insurance from ARRL but do not know much about it. I am going to call my homeowners for sure to make sure my stuff is covered. I could never afford to replace it now. Best wishes friend. Hope u get back on the are real soon!
you mentioned you lost 3/4 of your hamshack. is that just because that much equipment relied on that antenna structure or because you had more property damage?
sorry to hear about your antenna though. my mom's house was struck by lightning last year and i remember seeing the spots in the drywall where the lightning followed their chimney down to the slab before catching fire. they lost all electronics, even those behind surge suppressors.
Here in Minnesota we have our furnace checked after a lightning strike. Better to get a bored heating technician in August than waiting until November when they are too busy.
First thing I learned about radio. Always ground your antenna and equipment well. I usually ran all my grounds to the driven ground rod for the electrical service. If your grounding cable is at least a #10 awg, that should be enough to route the current properly to ground. Current is atracted to the easiest route to ground. I have seen lightning hit a ground rod before. It was awesome. Dirt flew everywhere.
Thankyou John, It's made me realize how powerful mother nature is, I think we all under estimate it. In future not only will I be removing antennas for the radio but also the power, Keep the videos coming cheers 73 from SE UK de 2e0bmi
I am shocked! I once witnessed a direct ground strike in the garden below the deck where I was sitting in Canada but I've never seen what happens when the strike gets conducted. It is heartbreaking to learn of your losses, not becasue of the financial side but because we can put a lot of ourselves into a project to get it done as we want and that time and effort can be hard to replicate. However, you are a determined, resourceful man so things won't stand still for long - or at all.
I am shocked! I once witnessed a direct ground strike in the garden below the deck where I was sitting in Canada but I've never seen what happens when the strike gets conducted. It is heartbreaking to learn of your losses, not becasue of the financial side but because we can put a lot of ourselves into a project to get it done as we want and that time and effort can be hard to replicate. However, you are a determined, resourceful man so things won't stand still for long - or at all.
Yes, it was quite the experience! Fortunately, the damage was not as much as it could have been. Next step is learning about lighting arrestors for antennas. Probably should had done my research a little sooner ;-)
No lighting arrestors (unfortunately). The antenna was disconnected from the radios before the storm but I mistakenly left them connected to the AC power. The power surge from the lighting strike took out the radios and other things.
I am saddened to hear about the losses you have suffered due to that lightning strike,but it seems you are already looking on the bright side.I hope it won't take you too long to get back on the air.Wish I lived close by to lend a hand.
Thanks for the words of encouragement. Forutnaly the damage was limited to things that can easily be replaced. I may be off the air for a few weeks as I sort everything out however, I will be back soon.
Who knows, I may replace one of the radios with a K1 like you have. I’ve not been on SSB much over the past 8 months!
Take care and keep those videos coming. I am enjoying the bush craft ones *almost* as much as your CW ones. :-)
Lightning rods are common sights on many houses in Europe and Asia. I have seen them in my travels. Why nobody puts lightning rods on their houses here in the USA, I have no idea. That simple device would totally prevent damage like this. At least nobody was killed.
leakyspacesuit 3 months ago
This 31' antenna caqn be used just like your Hygain multiband antenna if you wire in a coil at it's base in the same fassion as the Hygain. I tried this and also used this on 20 meters with X=0 and a 1.2:1 SWR... First contact was Serbia... But still love my phased 40 meter vertical best:) 73 Jimmy, WX9DX
wx9dx 5 months ago
@wx9dx
Jimmy,
Tnx for the follow up. I can't picture exactly what you are describing, but it sure sounds like something I want to learn more about.
How about posting a video???
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 5 months ago
I bought a used S(v 31' antenna just to do some testing on it. I have found that by running a RF coil from the antenna wire to ground, then tapping the coil for best SWR works best with this antenna " as per static discharge and use". I also ran a 1 meg ohm resistor from the hot lead of the coaqx to ground across the coil to help discharge the antenna. At swome frequency the coil will look like an insulator " like a Coil and cap across each other, like a trap does". So use a resistor also.:)
wx9dx 5 months ago
When it comes to lightening nothing is 100% protected. According to the NFPA, during an electrical storm, you should unplug all equipment from ac recepts and ground all antenna coaxes to an earth ground. This will help to reduce if not eliminate the difference in potential and lightening strokes. In my opinion, not grounding the antenna caused the strike. Leave the coax connected to your antenna/s and ground the radio end to a ground rod. I use a grounding junction block in my shack. 73's
slshock 5 months ago
@slshock
Tnx for your comments and for following along with my videos. You are correct and all those ideas are excellent. I wish I had followed them. From now on, I take the antenna down when not in use and disconnect the radios,etc from the mains.
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 5 months ago
@johnrob281
I've been very lucky through the years not to have had any radio/antenna damage from lightening. I've had several hits on my property with the latest one being two years ago which hit a tree just 25 feet from my ham shack. It blew a 6 inch wide strip of bark off the tree from top to bottom. My QTH is the highest point in the county. I've seen lightening skin a coax like a snake skin and jump 3 feet off a 90 degree coax bend and go straight through a wall and kill radios. 73's
slshock 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@johnrob281
I've been very lucky through the years not to have had any radio/antenna damage from lightening. I've had several hits on my property with the latest one being two years ago which hit a tree just 25 feet from my ham shack. It blew a 6 inch wide strip of bark off the tree from top to bottom. My QTH is the highest point in the county. I've seen lightening skin a coax like a snake skin and jump 3 feet off a 90 degree coax bend and go straight through a wall and kill radios. 73's
slshock 5 months ago
Sorry to hear of your loss of equipment. Hopefully through making this video you will educate hundreds about the destructive power of lightning strikes. You CERTAINLY educated me concerning this, as I have been taking a lax attitude towards lightning. I will take precautions from now on. Thanks for this good video, and I hope you get your belongings replaced soon, Glad no one got injured!
MrSuperheterodyne 5 months ago
@MrSuperheterodyne
Thanks for your comments and for following my videos. I really gained a new respect for lightning and now take the antenna down when I'm not using it.
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 5 months ago
Angry nature !
Egg473 6 months ago
John,
I have an TH-F6A HT in the car connected with mag mount MR-77. I always wonder what I should take care with regard to lightning strike, when the weather is stormy, and its raining. Could you comment on that? In fact, I was searching for that, which is how I came across your video, which is a great one!
mamatalu 6 months ago
@mamatalu
Thanks for following along with my videos.
Although rare, it is possible for lightning to strike a mobile antenna. From what happened last time, I now take the S9 down unless it the weather is clear AND I’m using the rig. Otherwise, I have it on the ground.
On the other hand, my mobile antenna I still leave it up and attached.
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 6 months ago
@mamatalu , if your curious about mobile lightning strikes, check out the "jperson2007" here on youtube. He actually had the camera rolling when his mobile radio was struck by lightning. He also has a video documenting the resulting aftermath. As you might imagine, it isn't pretty. Check it out! :)
NoWattz 5 months ago
John, I am so sorry to hear of this. I have had many hits over the years, if there is a direct lightning hit things blow apart. I now go by the Poly Phaser Guidelines on lightning protection. That has kept the hits at bay, using single point grounding etc. I also shunt feed my verticals so that they are at ground potential. This means a 1 Meg resistor in parallel with an air wound choke to ground from the antenna. Glad everyone is ok!
wx9dx 6 months ago
@wx9dx
Jimmy,
Good to hear from you and for your comments. I definately need some type of lightning protection. One thing I not sure of is exactly how to ground the fiberglass pole, I guess I could put the Poly Phaser directly in the antenna line itself. The actual antenna is just a 14 ga. stranded wire inside the pole. I'll have to think about that soon. Right now I just take the antenna down if I'm not using it. ( I'm a guick learner and don't want another lightning hit)
73
John
johnrob281 6 months ago
John glad everything is ok with you and your family.
I had a bad experience today. I live outside (about 34 miles) from the earthquake area that hit VA today. Sounded like and felt like a train in my house . At first I had no idea what was taken place then I realized it was a 5.8 earthquake. Again l enjoy your ham videos trying to get on HF again myself, WA4WPG. Take Care John.
radiomanCQ 6 months ago
@radiomanCQ
Thanks for your comments and update on the earthquake...glad you made it through OK.
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 6 months ago
WOW! I'm glad you and the wife are OK. I noticed you list of equipment that is gone, did it get any of your shop equipment? I now have a new procedure in place. I now unplug all radio's after each use (not that I get to use them much)
Jon
WX5NCO
wx5nco 7 months ago
@wx5nco
Jon,
Tnx for your comment and for following along.
While it did take out some radios and other electronic equipment, the shop tools were not affected.
I've also started to unplug everything in my ham shack even is a 'bad cloud' goes over!
John
johnrob281 7 months ago
My goodness John you and yours are probably still shaken up. Thank you so much for doing this video when for sure you have much on your mind right now. I also live in lightning prone area and will not take lightly the dangers involved with antennas, cables and the like. I once got hit when I tried to disconnect the cable to my TV. I jumped back and almost did a backflip over the banister! But I was fine. I am glad you are OK as well, but sorry for all the losses that you incurred. 73.
takforalt 7 months ago
@takforalt
Ken,
Thanks for your comments. It was an "eye-opener" for us. From now on, it's antenna down when storm approaches.
John
johnrob281 7 months ago
Really interesting to see the end result of the hit. Stinks you had it happen but thanks for showing this. Is there anything you would do different with your setup? Or is it one of those things that if you get a direct hit you're pretty much cooked?
All the best and 73s,
Jay
dighsx 7 months ago in playlist Watch_list
@dighsx Jay,
Here’s what I’ve found out: With enough money you can ‘likely’ protect from a direct hit. As for me…I don’t have that much money!
Even though I did have the antenna disconnected, I will no longer leave the coax anywhere near the ground radials of the antenna. Second, I’ll disconnect the electrical main to my radio room. Finally, since the S9 is very lightweight, I intend to lower it when storms approach.
Take care…BTW: I really like following your videos.
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
@johnrob281 What you should do is get your neighbor into ham radio and have them put an antenna that's taller than yours. hehehe
I hope your home owners insurance is helping cover some of the costs?
Take care and thanks for watching my vids,
Jay
dighsx 7 months ago
@dighsx
"...get your neighbor into ham radio and have them put an antenna that's taller than yours" Now that's a good idea :-)
73
Johh/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
John - so sorry to see this. Many thanks for sharing the aftermath of a lighting strike with all of us. It illustrates the power of Mother Nature for sure. I am glad you are alright. You mentioned you lost 3/4 of your shack . . . what were the losses?
73! David / KF7ETX
USNERDOC 7 months ago
@USNERDOC
David,
Thanks for the follow up. The radios did take a pretty good hit. I lost three radios, tuners, power supply and other equipment. One of the radios was on I was on loan from Wil. (I suppose that one will be *expensive*)
I enjoyed following the videos as you and your family went on a well-deserved vacation. Looks like a great part of the country to visit.
Take care and 73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
Wow! Well my friend, equipment can be replaced, people cannot. Thanks for sharing! 73! W9ROL
Tacticalgearhead 7 months ago
@Tacticalgearhead
Thanks for the comments. It was an eye opener. From now on I'll be taking the antennas down and unpluging the radios from the main!
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
John, I was so sorry to read this. I can only hope that your experience teaches others how much damage and destruction can be caused by lighting. I have never seen the afternath befoire and with such detail. It sure has me re-evaluating my Antennas & Gear setup. So much for "Storms coming, unhook the antenna" It just is not enough, as you have shown. I am glad you and the family are OK.
If ever there was a case of bad things happening to good people, this is it. I wish you well.
Ron
KB3VEW
ThePauperPrepper 7 months ago
@ThePauperPrepper
Ron,
Thanks for your comments. It looks like I may be able to get back on the air sometime this week.
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
Sorry John. That is scary stuff. I sure hope the homeowners insurance will cover it. I have been thinking of getting that HAM insurance from ARRL but do not know much about it. I am going to call my homeowners for sure to make sure my stuff is covered. I could never afford to replace it now. Best wishes friend. Hope u get back on the are real soon!
GeoN0JRJ 7 months ago
@GeoN0JRJ
George,
Tnx for your comments. I did not have ARRL insurance, but will be getting it as soon as my equipment is replaced!
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
Good thing the S9 antennas are relatively cheap
N4GW 7 months ago
@N4GW
Jim,
You got that right. In fact I ordered another one this morning.
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
you mentioned you lost 3/4 of your hamshack. is that just because that much equipment relied on that antenna structure or because you had more property damage?
sorry to hear about your antenna though. my mom's house was struck by lightning last year and i remember seeing the spots in the drywall where the lightning followed their chimney down to the slab before catching fire. they lost all electronics, even those behind surge suppressors.
stay safe, rebuild. thanks for the videos.
jermlac 7 months ago
wow im glad you are ok
fisherdigital 7 months ago
wow
jmmurdy 7 months ago
Here in Minnesota we have our furnace checked after a lightning strike. Better to get a bored heating technician in August than waiting until November when they are too busy.
WertWurtly 7 months ago
First thing I learned about radio. Always ground your antenna and equipment well. I usually ran all my grounds to the driven ground rod for the electrical service. If your grounding cable is at least a #10 awg, that should be enough to route the current properly to ground. Current is atracted to the easiest route to ground. I have seen lightning hit a ground rod before. It was awesome. Dirt flew everywhere.
chest002 7 months ago
Sorry to hear your antenna john.at least you and your wife are OK that all that counts 73 mike WM1K
wm1k 7 months ago
@wm1k
Mike,
Thanks for the well wishes. We were lucky,
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
Holy cow! John, Glad your ok. Just never know where it's going to hit. Wish I had some extra equipment to lend you. Hams take care of Hams!.
73
TheKC1ML 7 months ago
@TheKC1ML
Thanks for the kind words, hopefully I'll be back on the air within a week or so.
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
Thankyou John, It's made me realize how powerful mother nature is, I think we all under estimate it. In future not only will I be removing antennas for the radio but also the power, Keep the videos coming cheers 73 from SE UK de 2e0bmi
2e0bmi 7 months ago
@2e0bmi
Thanks for the comments. I agree, from now on it's both power and antenna disconnected when I'm away from the shack!
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
well lightning, like water is lazy it wants to find the lowest point as quick as possible.
as told by my grandfather.... as for the most part is very true.
glad it was only property damage, and no one was hurt.
even a simple lightning rod would have helped for sure, as long as it's the highest point around the house.
I'm guessing it's not a good idea to keep the ground wire and coax in close proximity to each other either.
140,000mph and 54,000F is no joke
maintguy69 7 months ago
You "ain't" living right. :-)
AI4QT 7 months ago
@AI4QT
Not me...must be Melissa!
73
johnrob281 7 months ago
LOL, you now have a S9v puzzle, unfortunaly lots of dammidge inside the house :-(
Hope you get everything back from the insurance.
happymark1805 7 months ago
@happymark1805
A puzzle indeed… I’ll likely replace it with another S9v. Performance was good and it fits my small backyard.
As for the insurance, I carry a very high deductible and even with the amount of damage, it may not reach the deductible.
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I am shocked! I once witnessed a direct ground strike in the garden below the deck where I was sitting in Canada but I've never seen what happens when the strike gets conducted. It is heartbreaking to learn of your losses, not becasue of the financial side but because we can put a lot of ourselves into a project to get it done as we want and that time and effort can be hard to replicate. However, you are a determined, resourceful man so things won't stand still for long - or at all.
Best, B.
baconsoda 7 months ago
I am shocked! I once witnessed a direct ground strike in the garden below the deck where I was sitting in Canada but I've never seen what happens when the strike gets conducted. It is heartbreaking to learn of your losses, not becasue of the financial side but because we can put a lot of ourselves into a project to get it done as we want and that time and effort can be hard to replicate. However, you are a determined, resourceful man so things won't stand still for long - or at all.
Best, B.
baconsoda 7 months ago
@baconsoda
Yes, it was quite the experience! Fortunately, the damage was not as much as it could have been. Next step is learning about lighting arrestors for antennas. Probably should had done my research a little sooner ;-)
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
Son of a gun. Powerful strike; maybe you need a sacrificial tower to help save the next antenna, and your house.
coffeefish 7 months ago
did you have any lightning arrestors? was your radio connected at the time? ...lightning true meaning of power.
mafiouso 7 months ago
@mafiouso
No lighting arrestors (unfortunately). The antenna was disconnected from the radios before the storm but I mistakenly left them connected to the AC power. The power surge from the lighting strike took out the radios and other things.
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago
Oh dear John,
I am saddened to hear about the losses you have suffered due to that lightning strike,but it seems you are already looking on the bright side.I hope it won't take you too long to get back on the air.Wish I lived close by to lend a hand.
All the best.
Sandy
g0vqw 7 months ago
@g0vqw
Sandy,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. Forutnaly the damage was limited to things that can easily be replaced. I may be off the air for a few weeks as I sort everything out however, I will be back soon.
Who knows, I may replace one of the radios with a K1 like you have. I’ve not been on SSB much over the past 8 months!
Take care and keep those videos coming. I am enjoying the bush craft ones *almost* as much as your CW ones. :-)
73
John/W5CYF
johnrob281 7 months ago