Here is a copy of my post from a local cord cutter group with photo last spring.
ON SOLID GROUNDS
Here at our place in Florida we have no shortage of trees. We also have no shortage of nasty spring weather with thunderstorms, high winds and hail. Central Florida is the lightning capitol of the world after all, so this is normal, for us. About a month ago we had a particularly heavy thunderstorm roll through, very windy with almost constant thunder yet not much rain.
I was looking out the back window watching the lawn chairs blow around when lightning hit somewhere in the back yard. A big one, very close, the thunder boom was instant and the flash blinded me for a few seconds. This shook us up a bit, that was close and we know from experience that if nothing explodes or bursts into flames we are usually OK.
Cut to the chase. About three weeks later I noticed pine bark on the ground under our 100 ft. tall pine tree. The pine took the massive lightning hit from the top and was completely dead shedding bark, needles and small branches. Dang, what a shame, we really liked that tree, all that can be done now is to have it removed.
So what does this have to do with Antennas you may ask ? Plenty, my antenna setup is only 30 ft away and much of the massive static energy from the strike fed into the antenna system. I could tell by the very light carbon like arc print on the ground connection at the mast and the balun leads. (Update; the copper in the coax was also burned back breaking the connection to the top antenna.) Thankfully I Grounded the system according to the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines, as I always do and recommend to everyone who has an antenna for tv. This simple effort of grounding properly saved not only our equipment but also the devastating damage that can result when high voltage gets into a home. I had it happen long ago and it destroyed most of a home.
Bottom Line, Ground your system according to the NEC GUIDELINES. This simple inexpensive step could save your life one dark and stormy night and you'll sleep better knowing you're well protected from lightning.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ERS-_N7su6WUEPDePWwK28DdDsyL_ArB/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EXKOGIkKjz-3JYiSfuhPvtV_r4uw0Q4j/view?usp=drivesdk
Grounding Article
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_65A4EVaw5eVzE4SHFmSTlsQ0E/view?usp=drivesdk
ON SOLID GROUNDS
Here at our place in Florida we have no shortage of trees. We also have no shortage of nasty spring weather with thunderstorms, high winds and hail. Central Florida is the lightning capitol of the world after all, so this is normal, for us. About a month ago we had a particularly heavy thunderstorm roll through, very windy with almost constant thunder yet not much rain.
I was looking out the back window watching the lawn chairs blow around when lightning hit somewhere in the back yard. A big one, very close, the thunder boom was instant and the flash blinded me for a few seconds. This shook us up a bit, that was close and we know from experience that if nothing explodes or bursts into flames we are usually OK.
Cut to the chase. About three weeks later I noticed pine bark on the ground under our 100 ft. tall pine tree. The pine took the massive lightning hit from the top and was completely dead shedding bark, needles and small branches. Dang, what a shame, we really liked that tree, all that can be done now is to have it removed.
So what does this have to do with Antennas you may ask ? Plenty, my antenna setup is only 30 ft away and much of the massive static energy from the strike fed into the antenna system. I could tell by the very light carbon like arc print on the ground connection at the mast and the balun leads. (Update; the copper in the coax was also burned back breaking the connection to the top antenna.) Thankfully I Grounded the system according to the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines, as I always do and recommend to everyone who has an antenna for tv. This simple effort of grounding properly saved not only our equipment but also the devastating damage that can result when high voltage gets into a home. I had it happen long ago and it destroyed most of a home.
Bottom Line, Ground your system according to the NEC GUIDELINES. This simple inexpensive step could save your life one dark and stormy night and you'll sleep better knowing you're well protected from lightning.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ERS-_N7su6WUEPDePWwK28DdDsyL_ArB/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EXKOGIkKjz-3JYiSfuhPvtV_r4uw0Q4j/view?usp=drivesdk
Grounding Article
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_65A4EVaw5eVzE4SHFmSTlsQ0E/view?usp=drivesdk