Lightening and transmitters

[Ridgekid]

Is it safe to say that if a lightning strike nearby could take out a transmitter? (Not direct hit, but very close)

I took the weather station down this morning to troubleshoot. I pushed the reset button on the unit and it did not change anyting. The owners book also states to remove the batteries, re-install. Light in front of transmitter should stay on 5 seconds, then off and then blink 8 seconds later. It will then blink 8x when reciever is found. Mine stays on constantly from the time the batteries are installed. Bad transmitter?

My unit is a WS1080 with 915 mhz transmitter. Anyone know if this will work although it's listed for the WS1090?

http://www.ambientweather.com/amws1090thr.html

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks~

[yv1hx]

Hello Ridgekid,

A lightning strike will hit any point that offers a path with low resistance to ground. If this point is yours WS antenna, it will hit!

I would recommend you never sit a aerial or WS higher than your lightning rod.

BTW, there is no lightning rod system capable to offer a complete protection to any building.

Hope this helps.

[MattStedman]

I would say it's entirely possible. I have come across TV boosters that have been fried by a nearby strike. Lightning produces tonnes of EMF and the circuitry in these transmitters wouldn't be shielded from this (stupid I know!). There is a little info to be found in these results: http://goo.gl/RYDFN

[Ridgekid]

It was the transmitter. I'm back on line.

Thanks~