K2 ground

[Scott McDowell-4]

Roger
Thanks for your reply
I first learned the code in the navy in 1952, but didn't become a ham until
1973. I worked in
law enforcement for ten years, then became a railroad locomotive engineer
for 30 years.
My ham shack is on the second floor of our home and one afternoon last
summer I
heard what sounded like a bomb go off just above the roof of the house. I
had received
a lighening strike on my tower which is about two feet from the house. I
didn't know a
storm was in the area so everything was still hooked up.
The strike came in on the coaxial cable to the K2 and it exploded. I had
such a power
surge that everything in the house that was plugged in was burned up. When I
put up
the tower I put the bottom about six inches below the concrete pad for a
ground. I think
that took most of the strike to ground, or the house may have burned up.
I have built another K2 and hope it has a longer life!!!
73
Scott
N5SM
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[Stephen W. Kercel]

Scott:

Your experience illustrates a key point about lightning protection.
Even when you've done the best you can, it can still get you.

73,

Steve Kercel
AA4AK


At 11:16 PM 4/16/2008, Scott McDowell wrote:

>Roger
>Thanks for your reply
>I first learned the code in the navy in 1952, but didn't become a ham until
>1973. I worked in
>law enforcement for ten years, then became a railroad locomotive engineer
>for 30 years.
>My ham shack is on the second floor of our home and one afternoon last
>summer I
>heard what sounded like a bomb go off just above the roof of the house. I
>had received
>a lighening strike on my tower which is about two feet from the house. I
>didn't know a
>storm was in the area so everything was still hooked up.
>The strike came in on the coaxial cable to the K2 and it exploded. I had
>such a power
>surge that everything in the house that was plugged in was burned up. When I
>put up
>the tower I put the bottom about six inches below the concrete pad for a
>ground. I think
>that took most of the strike to ground, or the house may have burned up.
>I have built another K2 and hope it has a longer life!!!
>73
>Scott
>N5SM
>_______________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Post to: [hidden email]
>You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

_______________________________________________
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