Topband: corona noise

[Tom W8JI]

> Hi would a static discharge wick mounted on the lightning rod be helpful? 
> They seem to work well for aircraft AM radios.
<<

Anything a lot taller than the antenna being used and close to the antenna 
can help reduce corona from the antenna itself, because it is a better "leak 
point". This is why lower antennas are quieter than higher antennas during 
storms.

Static wicks would work especially great if our stations were in the air 
hundreds or thousands of feet above earth, with no earth contact. They would 
make the earth-isolated station assume the potential of the air or clouds 
around the station. Any corona (charge equalization) between the aircraft 
and air around the aircraft would come from the wicks, and not the antenna.

The problem with having wicks work for terrestrial applications is getting 
the great big earth, which is larger than most aircraft, to assume the 
potential of the clouds or air around the antenna. The antenna has a path to 
earth, so the charge just keeps coming back.

Lightning equalizes things between the sky and earth temporarily. Listen to 
an antenna during a storm, and watch out the window. When lightning flashes 
close by, the noise goes away.  I'm not sure that is a safe way to operate 
though.   :-)

73 Tom