[ALUG] Connection loss in Storms

[Nick Daniels]

On Thursday 14 June 2007 23:45, Wayne Stallwood wrote:
> On Thu, 2007-06-14 at 19:14 +0100, Nick Daniels wrote:
> > Hi
> > 	I keep loosing my broadband connection during
> > thunderstorms, I am sure this never happened in the
> > previous years. I usually loose it about an hour before
> > the storm appears here, and then for the duration of the
> > storm.
>
> I think a lot of it is dependant on what portion of your lines are on
> overhead cables, as naturally these are more susceptible to induced
> voltage spikes from nearby strikes and/or seem to be more prone to
> connection problems at the termination points.
>
> It could also be Exchange based though, I have heard rumours before that
> some smaller exchanges don't have "all" the equipment on redundant
> supplies..perhaps in your case this includes the DSLAM :-)
>
Hi Wayne
	I think nearly all three miles to exchange is overhead based.
I have noticed I am cut off before the storm if the storm comes from the 
direction of the exchange.
	I also, as a radio ham, am often cut off if I transmit on the 3.5MHz
to 3.8MHz band, apparently this is not uncommon.
	I was reading in the RSGB publication last night that "some high
power operators are destroying the ADSL cards in the exchange"
when tranmitting on this band.
(High power = 400w max.)
	I do have two 40 foot ham radio masts in the garden but these are 
fitted with static discharge.

	Kind Regards - Nick Daniels