Proper lightning protection is an important aspect of designing a safe amateur radio station.  Recently, many amateurs have become concerned about possible damage from EMP, or Electromagnetic Pulse.  Fortunately, EMP protection has been studied by Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, and effective mitigation strategies published in QST.

• Lightning Protection for the Amateur Radio Station -- Part 1
  QST June 2002, pp. 56-59
  A three part series that develops a plan for protection the amateur station.
• Lightning Protection for the Amateur Radio Station -- Part 2
  QST July 2002, pp. 48-52
  
• Lightning Protection for the Amateur Radio Station -- Part 3
  QST August 2002, pp. 53-55
• Lab Notes - Lightning Protection - Part 1
  QST October 1994, pp. 81-82
• Lab Notes - Lightning Protection - Part 2
  QST December 1994. pp. 45-46
• Electromagnetic Pulse and the Radio Amateur - Part 1
  QST August 1986, pp. 15-20, 36
  Will your station survive the effects of lightning strikes ........
• Electromagnetic Pulse and the Radio Amateur - Part 2
  QST September 1986, pp. 22-26
  ...testing EMP/transient-protection devices
• Electromagnetic Pulse and the Radio Amateur - Part 3
  QST October 1986, pp. 38-41
  ...protectors are connected to Amateur Radio equipment and retested.
• Electromagnetic Pulse and the Radio Amateur - Part 4
  QST November 1986, pp. 30-34
  What can be done to protect an Amateur radio station from lightning......
  Feedback: QST February 1987, p. 43
  Feedback: QST April 1987, p. 59
  The model number of the Siemans spark gap is B1-A350, not BI-A350.

• How to Protect Your House and Its Contents from Lightning
  IEEE Guide for Surge Protection of Equipment Connected to AC Power and Communication Circuits, Published by Standards Information Network, IEEE Press
• National Lightning Safety Institute
• Companies that supply Products for Lightning Protection
  

  •  Surge Arrestors are available from Array Solutions.

  • Grounding and Lightning Protection Products are available from DX Engineering.

  •  Georgia Copper sells copper products for lightning protection.

  •  KF7P Metalwerks makes custom tower and grounding accessories for amateur radio.

  •  Morgan Manufacturing makes lightning protection products.

• Useful link for tracking lightning: Blitzortung.org real time lightning map

Ham Radio Protection
Proper lightning protection for a ham radio station can involve more variables than any other type of radio site.  Link to White Paper.

Polyphaser Surge Protection
Link to Polyphaser Web Site