[TowerTalk] static cat

[Tony King - W4ZT]

Over 20 years ago I built my own static discharge brush after my 130 ft 
tower was consistently being hit by lightning several times every year. It 
is a simple device with sharp wires sticking out in many directions with 
the idea of bleeding off static and REDUCING the probability of being hit 
by lightning. My personal experience is that I went from several lightning 
hits per year to one hit every few years.

No claims of black magic or that these things PREVENT lightning strikes, 
only that my experience is that it helped reduce the number of hits.  We 
see many such devices down here in the South, on towers and buildings.

If you're interested in the one I built you can see it at:
http://porcupine.w4zt.com/

As others have said in the past, your mileage may vary, and play at your 
own risk.

73,
Tony W4ZT


At 02:53 AM 3/21/2004, isp wrote:
>I just learned about an item  called a staticat.  The people that used it
>says they use to have several lightening strikes a year and now do not get 
>any lightening strikes.  Does anyone know about this item?  It is 
>expensive but would pay for itself in one blown radio.
>
>Manufacturer can be found at www.cortanacorporation.com.   anyone have
>opinions?
>
>thanks Terry