Having but recently returned to the world of shortwave radio, I'm
trying to be better informed about technical and safety issues than I
was as a kid. Now a homeowner with a mortgage and a homeowner's
insurance policy, I'm worried about lightning protection. I'm
receiving only, not transmitting. I have a ground rod just outside the
window where the antenna wire enters, and I intend to disconnect the
antenna outside the house when I'm not using the shortwave. But I
want to be extra careful!

So I'm considering some options. Which make sense to you seasoned
hams? Do any of these leave me open to my homeowner's insurance being
voided if I get a direct hit by lightning?
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I ordered this before I read the disclaimer: just "better than
nuthin?"

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...tect/4618.html

The Opek A7516 Lightning Arrestor is not the "state-of-the-art" in
radio protection. These "air gap" arrestors were OK for tube sets, but
are not the best for today's solid-state rigs. However, if you are on
a budget, this device is a whole lot better than nuthin! As with all
lightning protection devices; you must connect it to an earth ground
with thick ground wire, and it is not going to provide protection in
the event of a direct hit.
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So, here's a better gas-discharge arrestor:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...tect/5611.html

The LDG SP-200 surge protector operates from DC to 1500 MHz with a 200
watt power capacity. The SP-200 protects coax feedlines from surges
exceeding 230V, such as caused by nearby lightning strikes and static
build-up. The SP-200 employs a gas-discharge tube that arcs-over when
230VDC is exceeded between the RF center pin and shield connections.
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A variation, with different connectors:

http://www.radiolabs.com/products/an...protection.php

Ultra Fast Gas Discharge
0.4db Max Insertion Loss
350V or 90V Breakdown Voltage
VSWR Better than 1.5:1
Passes DC voltage
200W Operation
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This doesn't say if it uses gas or air:

http://www.jetstream-usa.com/instructions/jtla1.pdf

# Model # JTLA1
# 1.5-200 Mhz
# 50 ohm
# 8 kW PEP, 4 kW DC
# Insertion Loss: Less than .1db
# Surge Current Capacity 20,000 Amperers
# VSWR Less Than 1.1:1 @ 1000Mhz
# Voltage Attack Time: 0 to 10 Billionths of a second
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Can I use something like this? It's designed for fences, but could
easily be rigged for an antenna input:

http://www.zarebasystems.com/store/e...ccessories/la1

Protecting the fence charger from lightning strikes on the fence line.
This lightning arrestor creates a path of least resistance, diverting
lightning surges to the ground.
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What's going on here?

http://ku5e.com/index-59869.html

The lower picture shows a device mounted atop the ground pole. Do you
recognize it?
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Rees Chapman
Dahlonega, GA