βish wrote:
Was wondering if it is safe to listen to Shortwave radio without
terribly long external antenna during such time. I actually like
the crackle pops along with the fading audio. Would I damage the
radio by doing this? Radio is Sony 2010 with about 10 ft. long
antenna slung near the window.

TIA

D Peter Maus wrote:

Would you be injured? No.

Your radio? Not likely. But that's not assured.

You don't have to be directly struck to damage you radio. A nearby
strike can easily raise electric potential in the surrounding area
sufficiently to induce a current into metal objects, your antenna
being one of them.

2010 is particularly susceptible to static damage,

For the most part, there's no reason to be concerned about listening
in a thunderstorm. And an indoor antenna will rarely, if ever, pose a
problem under such conditions.

Yes, the 2010 IS particularly sensitive to ESD (electrostatic discharge)
and even though an antenna is indoors, voltage CAN be induced into it
from nearby storms.

Try this experiment. Take an NE-2 neon bulb; connect one lead of the
bulb to your indoor antenna. Connect the other lead to any convenient
ground. Wait for a nearby thunderstorm (2-4 miles away). Please note how
many times the bulb flashes. The NE-2 lights at about 60 volts. Your
2010 may not like this. Even though the antenna is "indoors", this
experiment will clearly demonstrate that a significant voltage can be
induced into even an indoor antenna. So, it all comes down to "How lucky
do you feel?" and how much you value the 2010.