Thunderstorm Preparation

[JFOK]

Hi all,

I was just wondering what safeguards, if any you take in advance of an approaching Thunderstorm.
Personally, I unplug the powerstrip that powers my stb (edision mio) and my dish mover (ASC 1).
BTW...my dish is grounded also.

John

 

[comfortably_numb]

All of my electronics are on UPS systems with voltage spike protection. I've never had any issues since I implemented them.

 

[primestar31]

UPS systems, and ALL grounded to the house ground. I take no other precautions. Also, both my tv antenna system, and FTA systems (C-band and KU dish) have survived several lightning ground pulse strikes within our neighborhood in the last year. Closest one was only around 500' down the block, and I almost jumped to the ceiling when the blast went off, as my patio door faces where it hit the tree and blasted off the top of it.

 

[Corrado]

I disconnect everything, satellite, TV antenna, ham radio gear, etc. when storms are forecast after a nearby lightning strike destroyed many household items about 15 years ago. It even ruined the utility kw/h meter on the house.

 

[FTA4PA]

We lost equipment once from a very close strike and once was enough. I routinely disconnect all coax cables from the receivers and also the antenna leads from distribution amp in the house when storms are near. Also have Aska PT-1 surge suppressors on all coax leads to help for the times I am away or don't react fast enough.

 

[ZetaMale]

I don't disconnect anything. The only time I lost electronics was when some drunk smacked into a power pole that caused a nasty surge.

 

[mr_rye89]

None of my dishes are up very high, but my 2 meter J pole and my end fed HF dipole get unhooked if I remember to

 

[Cham]

I disconnect antennae and power cables when we are going away for a while especially in the summer. Otherwise I don't do much with FTA for thunderstorms. Cables are all grounded at entry as per code.
Did lose an ASC1 control board once when a power pole nearby got hit. Ti had replacments so no problem! Think it took out the reed sensor on the dish mover too.

I do disconnect the HF antennae though if a storm is coming, long wires, di-poles etc make good lightning energy collectors. No point in losing a transciever.

 

[Lone Gunman]

Yep, I disconnect everything associated with my satellite and OTA stuff so there's NO ground path inside on anything!! Vboxes, receivers, power strips, coax to everything and even the motor/sensor connections to the dish motors.

Started doing that a couple of years ago and haven't lost anything since. Before that though I spent a fortune replacing stuff that got smoked!!

Just saying.................