• You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.
  • A Winner has been chosen for the 2026 July 4th Retevis RA89R Giveaway! Click Here to see who won!

Lightning and static during storms

Eldorado828

UDX-828 in the Lonestar state (WDX-828)
I Support WorldwideDX.com!
Feb 21, 2016
4,895
9,717
523
The Panhandle of Texas
This is a subject talked about countless times here on wwdx. I couldn't figure out which thread to stick it to so thought I'd post this example here. Pretty wicked stuff. I once disconnected the coax coming from the antenna into the shack and got a little static shock. Not sure if it was from me or from when touching the shield and conductor on the pl259.
This video is on a whole other level though.
 

This is why I have a ground field of 16 ground rods, lots of 4ga solid wire, and all antennas are DC grounded with lightning arrestors at the entry point.

I consulted an electrical engineer before putting my station together, his words were, "you can't tell lightning where not to go, but you can encourage it where to go with robust grounding ".
 
This is a subject talked about countless times here on wwdx. I couldn't figure out which thread to stick it to so thought I'd post this example here. Pretty wicked stuff. I once disconnected the coax coming from the antenna into the shack and got a little static shock. Not sure if it was from me or from when touching the shield and conductor on the pl259.
This video is on a whole other level though.

I think someone here was saying that they killed their Nano VNA this way. Back in the day, people would put up a long wire and hook it to a spark plug. Then plug the spark plug into a model T ignition coil, and hook the coil up to charge a battery.
 

dxChat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • @ BJ radionut:
    Scheduled for Jul 4, 2026 Saturday Live Streams:
    To celebrate the 250th birthday of our great nation. We are giving away not just one, but multiple antennas! The Grand prize is the CaHR-Tenna Hydra Antenna, along with several other antenna prizes that will be announced throughout the giveaway. Whether you're a new ham, portable operator, POTA activator, or an experienced HF operator, this is your chance to upgrade your station. Prizes Include: HRA Hydra Antenna (Grand Prize) Additional antennas from HRA More prizes may be added during the giveaway!
  • @ BJ radionut:
  • @ BJ radionut:
    CQ Worldwide VHF SSB/CW Contest: 1400Z, Jul 4 to 1400Z, Jul 5