Since the fun flame feast we had over lightening
protection, I thought it might be very usefull
to newbies to make some points clearer then I
think is common.

First I don't care if anyone choses to pay the
slightest bit of attention to what I say. I am
only trying to pass on the help that I received
from others in the past.

Forget about protecting your radio and electronics.
Think instead about keeping your home from burning
down, or killing yourself, and your family.
Lightning fires can spread as if an accelerant
was used.

Think about what trouble you might face if your
installation was "illegal", found to violate the
local or state electrical code and your insurance
company may be able to refuse to pay.

Refuse to pay anything.

I won't bother posting links to the National
Electrical Code, they are simple to find.

You might want to your insurance agent, or read
your insurance policy. Call your local fire
department or building inspector and find out
who handles electrical inspections. Call them
from a payphone if you fear bringing down the
harpies of code enforcement upon yourself. And ask
what the rules are. Copies should be availble
for public inpsection at the planing and zoning
commision and/or the local library.

All I can say is that in my location, there are
strict rules requiring adherence to the NEC. And
my insurance has a clause that clearly states
that non compliant or non apporoved modifications,
additions, "may result in denial of your claim".
Yea and the sun might come up Friday. Any takers
of a bet that they would pay?

The fire marshal told me that if a non conforming
installation caused a fire that caused injury or death
WOULD face prosecution. Period. No exceptions.

That ALL of these prosecutions have resulted in convictions.

So at the very least, meet the requirements of the law.
I have had two direct hits, the first vaporised the top
2' of my 108" 10mtr whip, the second vaporised my 70'
#14 hard drawn antenna, the 9:1 matching tranformer,
and blew the metal case to dime sized pieces,
and blew holes in my burried coax.

It also deprogramed most programable devices in the house,
and the rear motion sensor failed. The failure might not
have been related as the PIR was ~15 years old. None of
my radios, PC or HiFi/TV had any damage (other then
requiring BIOS resets, scanner/radio memories reprogramed
and the like)

I am not saying that you can save your radios,or even save
your home. If one of the killer bolts that appear to be so
common in FL manage to hit your home, all may be lost.
As bad and sad as that would be, it would be worse to
face the loss of your home insurance, a fine, and possible
trial and going to jail.

When I got my first SW my dad insisted that we "put
up the antenna correctly, and install a "lightning
protector". He went on to warn me that the protector
might save the house but the radio would be ruined.
And I had to disconnect my antenna anytime I wasn't
listening, and to never ever listen during storms.
He took the next day off, an unheard of event, the
only other time I can remember him taking off was for
my sister's birth, and we went to the local radio/tv
parts house and bought 100' of "antenna wire" with
dog bone insulators. When I married and moved from my
parents home, we carefully took the antenna down. It
was the antenna that got hit where I we now live.

I still have the a 6" piece with the melted blob of
copper that I keep on the wall below my first SW QSL
card to remind of the joys and sorrows of SWL.

My HF receivng antenna is at varaince withthe NEC.
The electrical inspector wrote me anice letter that
my departure fromt he NEC did not create any additonal
risk. I also have a ltter frmo my insurance company,
not the local agent, but hte home office sttaing my
varience is accepted as long as "woire that enter
your home are bonded as required by the NEC." A little
extra effort to be sure, but well worth it. If we get
nailed tonight and manage to get out alive, I will have
teh cold comfort of knowing that I have not only done
all I could, but htat I will face no legal of inusarnce
problems.

Flame me all you want, but if I can motovate one person
to take the proper steps to prevent lossing their house,
life or freedom I will feel good.

Terry