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Chuck,

I disagree that most of the lightning energy flows down the outside of the coax shield. ?If a dipole antenna is in the discharge field of a flash, both elements will receive similar coupled charges and that energy will flow down the coax just as any EM field would. ?While lightning is often described as a DC event, the microsecond rise times and the immediate return stroke makes it behave as RF. ?Even if the field potential is uniform across the dipole's length, the center conductor would carry as much energy as the shield toward earth.

But I agree with the rest. ?Most homes can't easily and implement the classic single point ground you described (which is the best approach). ?That's why the NEC requires all earth grounding points (rods, pipes, structural steel, Ufer encased grounds, etc.) to be bonded together at the primary electrical entrance panel (typically).

Without bonding the radio entry panel ground to the electrical entrance panel ground, the radio grounds may rise to thousands of volts due to the I*R drop of the grounding system, while the AC outlet grounds are still at a low potential (but not for long!) ?This is the most common problem that I've seen at ham stations -- not bonding all grounds together. ?There is a misconception that doing so will let the lightning into the house wiring, when just the opposite is the case. ? Thus the common misconception that you can't stop lightning damage, even with good grounding and lightning suppressors at the shack. ?

It's true can't fight lightning, you have to let things "float" along with it while the energy is dissipated rapidly and harmlessly into the earth.

Steve, W3AHL