When you deploy cabled microphones on tall structures or in exposed environments, you should take measures to protect your equipment from electrostatic discharges.
When you install Song Meters and cabled microphones together, there is a risk that static electricity can discharge to the microphone, travel down the microphone cable and through the Song Meter on the way to ground. This kind of electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage every component of the recording system, including microphones, cables, the Song Meter, and any external batteries.
Sources of ESD can range from the buildup of static electricity on PVC pipe in dry wind up to nearby lightning strikes. These events are particularly common in elevated deployments on meteorological towers and similar structures.
You can protect your equipment from all but the most catastrophic electrical discharges by strategically grounding elements of your setup to divert electrical surges and installing ferrite collars to inhibit the flow of surges along microphone and power cables. If possible, you should also avoid grounding external batteries to not create a path to ground through your equipment.
These measures should be taken even when deploying on a permanent structure with lightning arresters or similar protections already installed.
Not to scale. The location of microphone and power ports vary for different Song Meter recorders.