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Posts : 14 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2022-12-11 QTH or Location : Bromley Equipment Used : Kenwood R-2000
Subject: Lightning protection for silver rod type antenna Tue Dec 13, 2022 3:26 pm
Hi all new member here and im a novice. I have a Kenwood R-2000 receiver and so far am getting not bad results with a dipole strung up across my bedroom, im on the first floor. Looking forward I will likely buy a CB and have decided on a Sirio half wave antenna as it will not need ground planes and looks discreet. Im planning on mounting it to the wall outside my shack window on the first floor so top of antenna will be higher than the roof line. Im planning on a 1 gang wall mounted female connector in my shack so I can plug/unplug the coax to my set at random. However, my question is this, as the Sirio half wave is metal should I earth it ? If i dont earth it then a lightning strike could potentially make the wall connector in my shack (which is also next to my bed, yes my shack is my bedroom) live. Any ideas ? I suppose the easiest thing would be to get a fibre glass antenna, but for some reason im sold on the metal Sirio 1/2 wave. Thanks for any advice.
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Mitch Senior contributor
Call Sign : M1TCH Posts : 105 Times Thanked : 12 Join date : 2020-01-02 QTH or Location : Wigston, Leicestershire. Equipment Used : Yaesu FT-857D, Diamond V2000, Major 3000, President Jackson Mk1 Export, Lafayette AFS-1005, K40 mic, KL203, B550P and Sirio GPE 27 ⅝λ.
Subject: Re: Lightning protection for silver rod type antenna Tue Dec 13, 2022 9:26 pm
The best protection is to unscrew the coax from the aerial if a storm's approaching, assuming you'll be able to reach it. There is a DC short to ground inside the base of a silver rod type (matching coil), so if it's struck the whole coax inside and out will carry the 'spark'. Earthing the aerial will only make it more attractive to potential strikes and more likely to destroy your room and damage the house as well as your kit. It will be earthed to your radio in use anyway so no need for a seperate ground imo.
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SangueG Major contributor
Call Sign : 26-CT-3971 / 2E0LMI Posts : 1340 Times Thanked : 86 Join date : 2021-01-30 QTH or Location : Cirencester, Gloucestershire Equipment Used : Little radios, home-made antennas
Subject: Re: Lightning protection for silver rod type antenna Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:02 pm
Just looked that Kenwood up, it looks a nice receiver.
I can't help with your grounding questions much. My shack is similar to yours in that it is a very small amount of space in the corner of my bedroom right next to my bed. All my permanent antennas are in the loft. I just disconnect the coax at the sign of any storms and cross my fingers.
What I can say is, don't go buying a fibreglass antenna thinking you'll be safe from lightning. It will have metal rods or wires running up inside the fibreglass and act just the same as any other half wave in a storm.
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JimmyD New Member
Posts : 14 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2022-12-11 QTH or Location : Bromley Equipment Used : Kenwood R-2000
Subject: Re: Lightning protection for silver rod type antenna Tue Dec 13, 2022 11:04 pm
Thanks for responses, I get what you mean that the safest method is to undo the coax from antenna completely when a storms approaching but that would mean leaning out the window, removing the amalgamating tape ect ect, then reinstalling it when the storms clears.
Are there not any types of isolator that can be installed along the coax where its indoors to save the faff as above ? I guess thou that a lightning strike could arc an isolator anyway and might be more harm than good. Anyway should i be concerned about lightning anyway, my TV aerial has never been hit for as long as I can remember so would a cb antenna be any different I wonder.
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Alan Pilot Major contributor
Call Sign : 163-CT-220... Posts : 2657 Times Thanked : 70 Join date : 2019-11-19 QTH or Location : Anglesey North Wales Equipment Used : Yaesu FT-991A,,Yaesu FTDX-10,,Icom ic-7610,,Anytone AT-D878UV PLUS",,LINCOLN II+. Age : 16
Subject: Re: Lightning protection for silver rod type antenna Wed Dec 14, 2022 6:44 am
There are lightening arrestors to be had. Don't think they will be any good if you do catch a strike. I have a Diamond one i was given as a present and it's fitted looks good earthed to it's own rod in the ground but i wont hold my breath. Add your gear to your house insurance jic.
Ivy Mike Major contributor
Call Sign : 26CT4113/G1HWY Posts : 536 Times Thanked : 15 Join date : 2021-05-16 QTH or Location : IO90uv Equipment Used : ICOM radios/antenna farm Age : 69
Subject: Re: Lightning protection for silver rod type antenna Thu Dec 15, 2022 3:59 pm
Lightning arrestor is an unfortunate description of these devices.
Surge protector is far better description.
The surge protector should be outside the shack, do not invite lightning in. Disconnecting the coax is ok but still invites lightning into the shack/house.
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walt New Member
Call Sign : CT2934 / M6WDV Posts : 13 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2019-06-28 QTH or Location : West Sussex Equipment Used : Yaesu / LCL / Midland / ICOM
Subject: Re: Lightning protection for silver rod type antenna Tue Dec 20, 2022 6:28 am
I'd recommend a surge protector. They're not expensive and you won't notice any appreciable output loss (or increase in SWR) - but it may save your rig or a fire! Something like e.g.: https://www.hamradio.co.uk/accessories/lightning-arresters-surge-protection/diamond-sp-1000-pd-4897
73's
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Subject: Re: Lightning protection for silver rod type antenna