wilson 1000 antenna Lightning Rod ???

[aircatheavy]

Hello,

Just got my Wilson 1000 Mag Mount Antenna today and after sticking on the roof of my minivan I stood back and thought....

hmmmmm.....nice lightning rod.

Is lightning a potential hazard with a 5ft metal whip antenna on top of your vehicle?

 

[aircatheavy]

From the National Lightning Safety Institute

Quote from the National Lightning Safety Institute......

What happens when lightning strikes a vehicle? The answer, gleaned from anecdotal observations, is all the way from "Nothing" to "Wow! What a mess . . . my car is a disaster."

Electrically speaking, at lightning's higher frequencies, currents are carried mostly on the outside of conducting objects. A thick copper wire or a hollow-wall metal pipe will carry most of the lightning on outer surfaces. This phenomenon is called "skin effect." The same holds true for lightning when it strikes metal vehicles: the outer surface carries most of the electricity. The persons inside this steel box can be likened to protected by a partial Faraday cage.

But, consistent with lightning's capricious nature, situations alter results. Is the car dry or wet? If the car is made of fiberglass (a poor conductor) or a convertible, skin effect principles may not work. (Corvette and Saturn owners, please note this fact.)

 

[aircatheavy]

When lightning strikes vehicles

I found this site where LOTS of people posted their experiences of having been struck by lightning while in their vehicles.

Apparently there are a few very common things that happen....

1). Most people report a very loud boom and see bright light (much more than usual)

2). Extensive vehicle damage is quite possible in cases of direct vehicle strikes.

What Happens When Lightning Strikes Your Car? | The UberReview

After reading all the information I could find here is my conclusion.....

It is probably a good idea to remove a tall, metal CB antenna from your car when in the vicinity of thunderstorms when possible.