How dangerous is an outside antenna ?

[John Erwin]

My background is in aviation and I've personally worked on (and have been in) aircraft that were hit by lightning. In most cases the electronics fared well, however I've seen situations that exposed problems with improper electrical bonding or corrosion. In most cases the bulk of the current simply flows over the skin of the aircraft and continues on it's way.

Granted there are significant differences between planes and cars, however I'm confident that a radio installation in a vehicle does not significantly elevate the risk of being struck compared to the stock configuration. Direct strikes are likely to cause more damage than with aircraft, but the information I've seen in lightning studies still suggests the bulk of the current will pass over the exterior of the vehicle. As stated already by others it's probably a good idea to put down your mic and your electronics will likely be damaged in a direct strike scenario but you should be relatively safe otherwise.

Also, chasing in a vehicle with a non-metalic roof is likely a fool's errand in my opinion, with or without antennas.

 

[John Moore]

To answer the original question: I've often thought about that. I believe that the antenna somewhat increases the hazard to the occupants. The kind of voltage and current present in lightning means it is very hard to predict, but it also means that it might do something pretty nasty. If you are holding something connected to the antenna, you could get zapped - fatally.

Certainly devices hooked to it are at increased risk.

The best thing to do would be to ground the coaxial cable from the antenna very solidly to the vehicle frame before or near where it enters the vehicle.

That said, a lot of my chasing has been with magnetic mount antennas that are not grounded. Which is why I have considered the issue.

On my current chase vehicle, the ham radio antenna is grounded to the hood. I don't know how well the hood is grounded to the frame, though. The antenna for the Wilson cellular amplifier is a mag mount connected to that amp and is not grounded. The amp is powered from a USB charger in the center console. Thus a lightning strike to that antenna would tend to fry the amp, then flow into the center console and fry the USB charger and maybe the tablet and phone also connected to it. And, from there, it would get into the car's DC system and do who knows what.

 

[Colton Bowman]

I chase with many antennas as well. The best way I was able to make things "feel more" safe (LOL) is keeping the wires away from me. During storms with intense lightning, I generally unplug everything and move it away from me, or any passengers. All without getting out of the vehicle. I think hopping up on your car to remove gear is more risky. You may not be under the storm directly, but more then likely you're in range of Positive Charged lighting. Unfortunately either way, I don't think there is any 100% safe protection from Lightning. Its definitely a "catch 22", especially with a fatal force that travels that can travel 3700 Miles Per Second; and is 4x the heat of the sun!

 

[James Wilson]

I have an inverter wired to the battery with a power strip I plug laptop, etc into ... hopefully that saves my gear from a bolt.

I also have the window breaker and seat belt cutter combo ... good if you wreak too.