Antenna protection'Switches

[Grogan]

I use several radios or 3 CB Radios on an IMax . I have a HF rig on a long wire and dual bander on a vertical. I was going to put antenna switches on everything so I can connect the antennas to ground when not in use. I wanted to buy a 4 position for switching between radios on the Imax. I know these switches are usually used for 1 radio and mutipple antennas but can be used for mutiple radios. But when I turn the switch to the ground position I will be grounding the radios and not the antenna. Would I be better off buying a second switch to put on the antenna line. or should I do something else. Don't like to disconnect but want protection...Thanks

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

The ground position of an antenna switch is no substitute for disconnecting cables when it comes to protection. It offers a degree of protection above doing nothing however there is certainly no guarantee that switch will handle the load of a lightning strike and by itself it won't. Do not rely on it alone to ground your system.

 

[BJ radionut]

http://www.alphadeltacom.com/

Here's the switches and some of the equipment I use...but just like this morning knowing bad thunder storms were coming in I removed the link to the radios from the switches and turned off the breakers in the shack panel...
\BUT even that is not a guarantee everything is secure...
I did some repair work once where the Lighting hit a tree, walked down the tree, jumped to an ALM window frame...across the nylon carpet 15ft or more and THEN jumped to a receptacle on the opposite side of the room and wasted the TV and lamp plugged in on the same circuit!
Lots of ground rods connected with BIG cable and short paths into good soil from your antennas and bench are your best defense...BUT
Lighting is totally UNPREDICTABLE!
GL
All the Best
Gary

 

[Grogan]

Yes I guess the best thing to do is disconnect. I will install some antenna switches and put them in a good location where I can easily disconnect.. When I disconnect should I put the coax to the antenna in a mason Jar or is that a myth??

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Yes I guess the best thing to do is disconnect. I will install some antenna switches and put them in a good location where I can easily disconnect.. When I disconnect should I put the coax to the antenna in a mason Jar or is that a myth??

Every time I hear this about sticking the coax in a jar I just want to do this. If lightning can travel miles thru the air how is a thin piece if glass going to stop it? Answer: It won't. In fact it may cause the jar to explode and throw shards of glass throughout the room. I know of one case where that happened. You cannot harness the power of lightning in a bottle. That old wive's tale came about I think because people know glass is an insulator however it takes a LOT of glass to insulate against MILLIONS of volts.