so what if the protections "cost more than the cable " cable is usually the cheapest component on any install
Skip, having been in amateur radio for the greater part of my life, I can tell you that there is nothing that I know of that will take a direct hit from lightning. I knew an old (now Silent Key) ham that would dilligently remove his antenna cable from his T/R relay, and directly ground it. One night, a lightning bolt hit his antenna, and blew a hole in the wall where the cable went through. His rigs were tube, and were unscathed, but the (of all things) the mic was blown to bits.
Lightning is strange and powerful stuff. Protect everything with the best protection one can get, but also have an insurance policy on your gear!
Joe
