Jack,
"P-Static" (precipitation static) is a different phenomena that "wind static".
A grounded antenna will NOT prevent P-Static. W8JI is correct.
Wind static can build incredible voltages (I've seen it) and will discharge to
ground. Grounding the element through a choke or high value resistor will
eliminate this. All my antennas must have this.
Precipitation static is a different thing. This is that screeching, buzzing,
even whistling sound that will crescendo and sputter out, only to start again.
Its the noise that when happening will shut you down from operating.
It happens when a storm is approaching or in effect. I hear it all the time
during rainstorms and even snowstorms.
Grounding the elements on your Yagi or verticals make NO difference at all to
this type of static.
I really don't think precipitation static is well understood regarding how it
develops and the exact mechanism that triggers it, but a google search might
give you some background.
Either way, a static drain choke or resistor will NOT eliminate this type of
noise when it happens.
Steve ve6wz
________________________________
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> on behalf of Jack Brindle
via TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 4:06 PM
To: john@kk9a.com <john@kk9a.com>
Cc: towertalk@contesting.com <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Static Drain Resistor in Arrestor
Yes, it definitely helps with rain static. If W8JI actually stated that
grounding the elements doesn’t help, he was wrong.
It is important to bring both sides to ground, and together, usually through a
large value resistor or RF Choke that will handle the power. Tieing both sides
of a dipole through this to ground provides a path to bleed off the static
charge, thus eliminating rain static (and snow static, etc). As Wes stated,
adding a fairly large resistor across the dipole insulator really helps. Then
timing that to ground through the arrestor finished the job.
73,
Jack, W6FB
> On Dec 16, 2025, at 5:48 PM, john@kk9a.com wrote:
>
> Does the Morgan coaxal arrestor help with precipitation static or just the
> arc noise? Rain static can be brutal when contesting. I thought mine might
> be related to using OWA designs with insulated elements but W8JI has stated
> that grounded elements make little difference.
>
> John KK9A
>
> Ron WV4P wrote;
>
> My fullsize 4el 40 with cool dry air wil arc several inches from coax tip
> to ground from static. With the Morgan M303 inline... Nothing. This was
> also very apparent on the SDR (Flex) screen from what looked like lightning
> static crashes to.. Nothing. In that respect, they did exactly what they
> claimed.
>
> Ron, WV4P
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
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