Holger,   
      
   HG>Remember to also unplug all cables from the radios because the electric   
   HG>charge from a lightning strike also enters the radio via the cables.   
      
   HG>A fellow hams transceiver was destroyed by the charge from a strike via   
   HG>the microphone cord connected to the set.   
      
     Since I have antenna prohibitions where I live, I no longer have RF   
   gear. I operate "internet radio" modes of Packet Via Telnet, Echolink,   
   D-Star (DV Dongle), and D-Rats. But, it still allows me to be on the   
   air...and I realize when I'm offline for storms, or if the internet is   
   out at my apartment, I'm off the air as well. At that point though, it's   
   a good time for a nap.    
      
     However, if there's a threat of thunderstorms, EVERYTHING gets   
   unplugged (except the refrigerator/freezer, stove, garbage disposal, and   
   dishwaster). If those get zapped by lightning, I don't have to worry   
   about replacing them, and neither does my renters insurance.   
      
     I also make sure the prongs of the plugs of the unplugged items are   
   well away from the outlet, so the current from a strike can't "jump"   
   from one to another.   
      
     The preacher who married my late wife and I over 12 years ago, was on   
   the phone during a storm, and lightning hit his phone line. It threw him   
   halfway across the room...and while shaken up quite a bit, he survived.   
      
     Lightning is very unforgiving, and it gives very few secrets of where   
   it'll strike next. By the time you feel the static charge, it's already   
   too late. And, as I noted in another post, no amount of surge protection   
   will protect you from a direct, or nearby lightning hit. In that regard,   
   even the UPS's are unplugged.   
      
     I always apply the 30-30 rule:   
      
   1) If you hear thunder within 30 seconds after seeing lightning, you're   
   in danger of being struck.   
      
   2) If 30 minutes has passed since you've heard thunder, it's safe to   
   resume normal activities, and plug things back in.   
      
   Daryl, WX1DER   
      
   ---   
    þ OLX 1.53 þ 2 + 2 = 5 for extremely large values of 2.   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
                                                                                     
   --- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS    
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)