> Static drain chokes and ground rods should be SOP. The chokes drain
> static build up which usually prevents direct hits. The chokes are
> available from various broadcast suppliers.
I have a picture of a very expensive broadcast suppressor on my web page. It
is nothing more than a long solenoid of thin wire.
Down this page:
http://www.w8ji.com/ground_systems.htm
There are a lot of myths about static drain chokes, like the magically
divert lightning energy or even reduce voltage gradient between the tower
and clouds, reducing chances of a strike.
If the tower or antenna has no resistive path to ground, a drain choke can
help certain specific situations, but it generally won't help a thing for
anything nearby or direct. It certainly will not reduce chances of a hit, or
direct hit damage.
I guess someone could wind their own for about $10 that would be much more
effective than the $200 commercial chokes I have. :-)
73 Tom
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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