Near lightning strike

Mark_WS7M

Ian1

WK2Y

Bob Needleman

Lionel

Bob Needleman

Clay N9IO

Yah really glad you weren't hurt Mark. The 2KFA too? Ouch! Here in Illinois I have a great grounding system BUT at the shack I have the grounding bar set up with a large disconnect, only the feedlines to that point are grounded back to the tower ground but I disconnect the radios at that bar when not on the air. Your storm came on so fast even this probably couldn't have even protected you. Again really glad you weren't hurt, equipment can be replaced not a talented programmer such as yourself. I took a major hit exactly like your Mark the year I moved here in 92,. The original existing TV tower was poorly installed, no ground system. TV's , two computers on dial-up internet were fried. Yes dial-up, ha. The MOVs in the surge suppressors didn't see what hit them, just black yuck. The phone entrance was blown off the side of the house all over the yard in little charred pieces. Thankfully All of my ham gear was still boxed up. I replaced the tower the following spring 93 and went back on the air. That tower was replaced in 2005 with my current system. Good luck sir, the recovery process is a pain. 73' Clay N9IO

KY6LA_Howard

Bob Needleman

Be happy you don’t live in Central FL. Orlando area has the greatest no. Of lightning strikes in the Western Hemisphere. No. 2 in the world for lightning after an area in Central Africa. Bob K3AC

David Decoons, wo2x

Mark, The Astron may have blown MOVs inside. If that is all it can be a cheap repair. I hope you had a backup of the Pi SD card. E Dave wo2x

Mark_WS7M

Mark_WS7M

Hi Dave,

I do have Pis and backups of all.    When I get time I'll open the power supply and take a look.   The one that went was from the 80's.  The newer one I have seems to have survived.

Mark_WS7M

I am!   This was an eye opener for sure.  Not about the equipment but about how destructive it could be and how close it can get.

The surreal part was the damaging strike that I still cannot figure out exactly where it hit.   The orange "pre-glow" followed a second or so later by the simultaneous flash/boom and sparks around the sliding glass door.  

Quite the event and a real eye opener!

As a former airline pilot who flew turboprops I've seen Saint Elmo's Fire where the aircraft is virtually encased in a huge static charge.   It was something to see the props outlined with rings a static that danced about and discharged into the air and on the air frame.

Never seen ball lighting but after this experience really don't think I want to unless its on youtube!

KT0AM - Mark

Wow, Mark, that's quite a terrible and cautionary tale! Watching the Denver news that night, I was amazed when they showed the number of lightning strikes from that one storm, it was quite the anomaly. I tend to be somewhat nonchalant when thunderstorms move through the area but this is definitely a wake up call; hopefully you can recover quickly.

Mark_WS7M

Ian, putting together the list this morning.  This definitely was not a direct strike and I have yet to find where the strike was.  But it was close enough to fry a bunch of stuff.

Mark

Mark_WS7M

Hi Bob, sad thing is I had it and I let it lapse unknowingly.   I will likely put it back in force!

Mark_WS7M

Agreed 100%

Bob Needleman

No, you don't need a direct lightning strike to cause major damage to any electronic devices connected to your electric service. An EMP (electromagnetic pulse) can come via the grid and into your AC mains and hit every electrical device connected to it. You may not even see or hear the lightning. But there usually is some type of electrical storm in the area at the time, although it can be several miles away. That's why disconnecting completely from the AC mains (and the coax for antennas) is the only way to insure safety from EMP events. 

KL4QG

WK2Y

I have a little Acu-Rite lightning alert gizmo that  I keep on most of the time. It's on my desk.   Not always but often enough it will let me know of a distant lightning strike.  I also have some weather apps on my PC which will let me know.    You can't totally rely on them though.  Sometimes I will hear the thunder off in the distance before the monitor or apps alert me.   I think I need a monitor on the roof but I have to decide what to get. 

KL4QG