A thunderstorm was approaching last week en when I saw a lightning strike nearby I decided to disconnect the verticals. I still have to find out why I got a electrical shock from the outer of the PL connector as soon as the connector came loose from the grounding strip. It was not a heavy shock but just enough to feel, like touching static. Immidiatly I thought of a video I've seen on youtube which was originally made by my most loyal blog reader PE1BVQ Hans. I'd e-mail him to hear his thoughts about it but only could tell me there must be a potential voltage difference somewhere. However, I'm puzzling. It is probabely build up static that got in via the longwire to my tuner although that wire is not connected to earth. The video shows that with this kind of connector panel (have the same thing here) you need to connect the inner side to earth as wel to prevent damage if you use a antenna that has no short circuit like most antennas.
I think a thunderstorm is something a radio amateur fears most besides a heavy wind or tornado.
A good site to determine if lightning is heading your way:
You're very lucky that it wasn't worse! I've had a few close calls myself and now leave the antennas disconnected at all times unless actually operating. As soon as I sign off for the day/night, I disconnect, even if the sky is clear with no rain predicted at all.
Of course that is the best you could do to prevent damage. Luckely my part of the country does not have much thunderstorms at all. But you can't be carefull enough! 73, Bas
Hoi Bas, Leuk dat jij mijn filmpje bruikt om te laten zien hoe krachtig statische regen kan zijn vlak voor een onweersbui. Ik had al vaker geknetter gehoord in de shack maar kon nooit vinden wat het was. Totdat ik de vonkoverslag zag. 73 Hans, PE1BVQ
6 comments:
You're very lucky that it wasn't worse! I've had a few close calls myself and now leave the antennas disconnected at all times unless actually operating. As soon as I sign off for the day/night, I disconnect, even if the sky is clear with no rain predicted at all.
73 - John AE5X
Hallo Bas, we hebben een gevaarlijke hobby ;-) 73 Paul PC4T
Of course that is the best you could do to prevent damage. Luckely my part of the country does not have much thunderstorms at all. But you can't be carefull enough! 73, Bas
Alles dat te maken heeft met stroom is gevaarlijk. Niet alleen onze hobby ;-) 73, Bas
Hoi Bas,
Leuk dat jij mijn filmpje bruikt om te laten zien hoe krachtig statische regen kan zijn vlak voor een onweersbui.
Ik had al vaker geknetter gehoord in de shack maar kon nooit vinden wat het was. Totdat ik de vonkoverslag zag.
73 Hans, PE1BVQ
Bad experience...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo4ZFnRy7_Y
73'iz1rdr
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