GB> possible dumb question

[Neil Morrison]

IMHO, you need not fear a direct strike. Having a few thousand amps
forced through your body will turn you into a crispy critter
instantly. You'll never know what happened.

Never forget that Ben Franklin was a lucky, lucky man. IIRC, several
people were killed trying to repeat his famous lightning experiment.

The real danger is induced current, where you become the secondary of
a transformer. That's what happens to people who are 'struck by
lightning but survive'. What that means is that they are close to an
object (tree, mast, building) which is struck, and they get a
fraction of the current.

After effects can include chronic medical problems and brain damage.
Not nice. You can also have your internal organs cooked just enough
so that you survive but die after a few hours from toxaemia. Yuk.

Remember the electrician's motto: "One flash and you're ash". A good
grounding system is your best friend, like a seat belt in your car.
Don't transmit without it.

Regards,

Neil


----- Original Message -----
From: "Stuart Rohre" <rohre at ARLUT.UTEXAS.EDU>


> ....
>
> But, the main reason for providing a way to earth your station, is
static
> discharge safety from electrical charge induced on your metal
cabinets, mike
> case, etc. or for safety compatibility with other AC grounds in the
shack.
>
.....

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