My longwire antenna arcing out on the radiator in the house during a huge storm

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Uploaded by on Jun 17, 2009

I could hear loud cracking noises from upstairs I couldn't see anything wrong so I turned my back on the 50 meter wire and sat at the computer all of a sudden CRACK I turned round and saw the wire arcing out for about 3 seconds....It sounded like a welder sparking.
I tied a long bit of string on the end so not to loose the end of my antenna but I got a belt in the process.
I think this was actually static from a near strike but was still enough to make my vision go dark round the edges.
I was straight on the phone to warn others in the path of the storm to remove coax from radios and DO NOT touch longwire antennas!
This was a BIG eye opener to me and now I can see how dangerous our hobbie can be.
Be safe and good DX guys
M6RKY

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Uploader Comments (markbeermonster)

  • wow!

    I was just watching your 'long wire antenna' video and considering putting up one myself for some HF listening. What conditions were outside when the antenna was so angry, I mean is it normal? I like my radios you know..;)

  • That was one of the last sparks, before It was very very loud.

    There was a huge thunderstorm and the longwire was still in the shack hanging next to the radiator!

    The only time it ever happend! thank god!

    Brilliant for listening, I use it aswell for my Yaesu FRG-7 and my Lowe HF125 reciever.

    Thanks for your comment

    73 and good listening

    M6RKY

    Marky

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  • That's why you need an inductance from feedpoint to earth. Even a high-ish value resistor will bleed off any static before the charge gets high enough to cook your front end.

  • my table lamp can light up when i run the HF rig without the ATU into the amp..!!

    use the ATU and all is good..!!

    still over 1kw on CB is enough to light up most things..!!

  • Very good !

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