Lightning risk

 Although there are no thunderstorms locally at present, the risk exists. Accordingly, I shall probably give the radio a miss today.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0; .

Lightning risk?

 This weekend there are some advanced warnings of thunder and lightning in the UK. At the moment these storms are a long way off, but if they get close I shall go QRT and disconnect things.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;

Lightning risk

One thing that could disrupt amateur radio today and tomorrow is the risk of storms and lightning. If there is a risk I shall disconnect things and go QRT. A useful guide is the lightning map. I am pretty sure this is available for all parts of the world. One can zoom in and out.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org .

Low lightning risk?

It has suddenly turned very dark and cloudy after a very hot and sunny day. It quite took me by surprise.  Looking at the lightning map, the storms look far away at the moment. 

As you know everything will be disconnected overnight "just in case".

Lightning risk

Lightning is an increased risk in the summer months. Although a direct strike is unlikely, close lighting can still do a lot of damage to radio gear. I take no chances disconnecting antennas and mains connectors. Up to now this policy has kept my gear safe from harm.

A useful guide is the realtime lighting map. If lightning is possible locally I disconnect things before the risk is here.

The map is an example showing the lightning last evening at about 2010z.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;y=51.7212;x=0.2069;z=8;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

Lightning stops play

Just now, we had a lightning flash and clap of thunder. Judging by the time delay, I would imagine it is 10km south of here. 

Just in case, I have disconnected PCs, PSUs and antennas in the shack. 

If it looks like the risk is going away, I shall probably reconnect things.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0; 

Storm tonight? - NOT amateur radio

In East Anglia there is thunder, lightning and heavy rain due overnight. Quite often we miss the worst. Just in case, I have disconnected antennas, PSUs and PCs. Some areas are due to get nearly 2 weeks of rain in just a few hours. Better check the rain gauge tomorrow!

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;z=5;y=49.6529;x=1.597;d=2;dl=2;dc=0; .e

Lightning risks

At the moment in the UK, the lightning seems to be in Wales and the north of England according to the lightning map. Of course, things can change quite quickly. If the risk increases, everything gets disconnected.

Thunderstorms

We are just having a passing thunder storm. 

Although the chances of a direct strike are low (thankfully) in the UK, passing storms can cause power surges that can damage equipment. 

I am no expert on thunder and lightning, but I know from others that it should always be treated with respect. Whenever there is a risk, I disconnect mains plugs and antennas "just in case". Opinions vary on what to do, but leaving things connected only works if your lightning protection is very good. Most of us have very poor protection.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

Why I don't like lightning - NOT amateur radio

My brother just sent me some photos of a lightning strike on a house about 200m from them. My brother has no broadband and the electricity is being provided from a generator supplied by the electricity supplier. 

It can do serious damage!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

Lightning

One of the pleasures of UK winter is the usual absence of thunder and lightning. In the UK they can occur, but they are far more common in the summer. 

Although I know the chances of a direct strike are low, they do occur. I know of 2 friends who had this. One of the more common things is a power surge as storms approach.

What I tend to do is keep a watchful eye on approaching storms. If there is any danger, I disconnect everything: antennas, mains plugs etc.. I have no idea if this is the correct strategy. My view is it is better to be safe than sorry.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

No operation until at least the afternoon

As we have thunderstorms at the moment and these could last until well after lunch, everything will remain disconnected until all risks have gone. So, no operation until later. 

UPDATE 0945z:   Although it is still raining here (good), the thunder and lightning seem to have passed. If the lightning map confirms this, I may go on later this morning. It appears to confirm the storms have gone.

Storm risks

At the moment, all storm activity seems to the north and missing us. As this can change, I am watching the lightning maps "just in case" things alter. It feels very humid.

UPDATE 1544z:  All the storms seem to be clustered about 60 kilometres north of us. At the moment, this still looks encouraging.

Lightning risks

The chances (in the UK) of being hit by a direct lightning strike are (thankfully) low, but not nil. Many years ago a work colleague in a very ordinary house was struck and he had a lot of damage.

More common issues are power surges of the mains supply when lightning and thunder are nearby.

Perhaps I am paranoid, but if there is a threat of lightning nearby I unplug PSUs from their sockets and disconnect all antennas. If a power surge is around my gear is not going to experience it!

Unless you have a very good grounding systems, it is very unlikely your gear will survive a direct hit.

Now, I am no expert on lightning protection, so please make your own judgements on this by reading expert opinion. DO NOT rely on me!!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

Lightning

At this time of year in the UK, lightning is not usually a great risk. In the summer months, although unlikely, lightning can be more of a risk. A direct strike is very rare, but can be devastating.  

More common are surges on power lines when lightning is near. For this reason, I usually disconnect PSUs and antennas if there is lightning in the area. 

Years ago, a colleague at work had his house struck and there was a lot of damage. I keep an eye on lightning maps to see how close storms are.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

Lightning

Some call me paranoid about lightning. 

At this time of year in the UK lightning is far less common than in the summer, but I still disconnect antennas and PSUs at night as a precaution. In the daytime I check and disconnect everything if there is a hint of storms. 

OK, the chances of a direct strike are low, but I want to minimise risks. Power surges can be more common.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

The most stupid product yet?

I have just received the latest newsletter from a major UK dealer. It included 2 products that seem pointless to me! For over £115 you can have a box that disconnects the antenna. For £190 you can automatically disconnect and ground 2 antennas.  Surely you can just unplug antennas? Am I missing something here?

Sorry, but this seems to be another way for the manufacturer and dealer to make money from gullible people or people with deep pockets. I for one will not be rushing...

Lightning danger

Ever since a friend's very ordinary house was struck by lightning many years ago, I have taken no chances. If a storm is nearby, I disconnect everything. If a storm is near you may want to check the lightning maps.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

Lightning

Although we may experience a few showers, it is quite warm outside. The thunder risk looks low with most storms over Denmark. 

I think there is some link between thunder activity and Es, although I have not studied it. I think it has something to do with sprites? There must be people who know far more than yours truly! If you know the link, please leave a comment.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=0.00;ts=0;y=38.0295;x=8.3248;z=4;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

Storms

Amateur radio gear can be badly affected by nearby storms. Often, when there are storms nearby, there can be damaging power surges. I am always nervous with nearby storms. My normal practice is to disconnect everything until the storms have well passed. At the moment, the immediate risk seems to have passed.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps  .