[TowerTalk] Vertical antennas and lightning

[Bill Aycock]

Gene--
In your message to Dan, you say:
 "you'll be draining off the static electricity (DC charge) to
ground, hopefully thus minimizing the likelihood of a strike to begin with."
I have always believed this to be true, but whenever I even hint at it, 
someone on this reflector jumps on me. Do you have a reference for me?
Thanks--Bill--W4BSG


--------------------------------------------------
From: "Gene Smar" <ersmar at verizon.net>
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 5:40 PM
To: "Dan Schaaf" <dan-schaaf at att.net>; "Tower and HF antenna construction 
topics." <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Vertical antennas and lightning

> Dan:
>
>     If the inductor is the correct value (high enough XL at the vertical's
> lowest frequency of operation so as not to upset the feedpoint impedance
> appreciably) you can permanently connect it to the feedpoint.  In that
> configuration you'll be draining off the static electricity (DC charge) to
> ground, hopefully thus minimizing the likelihood of a strike to begin 
> with.
>
>     I'd recommend XL > 10 X 50 Ohm = 500 Ohms at the lowest frequency.
>
> 73 de
> Gene Smar  AD3F
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dan Schaaf" <dan-schaaf at att.net>
> To: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics." <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 6:20 PM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Vertical antennas and lightning
>
>
>> Here is a vital question before I complete my vertical antenna design.
>>
>> In the case of a ground to cloud lightning storm, is it better to have 
>> the
>> feedpoint of the antenna disconnected from coax or switch in a shunt
>> inductor ?
>>
>> In other words open circuit to ground or closed circuit to ground.
>> All coaxes will be disconnected at the entrance to the shack anyway,
>> regardless.
>>
>> Dan Schaaf
>> ==================================
>> K3ZXL www.k3zxl.com
>> Cape Cod Instruments www.gnm-inc.com
>> NOBSKA www.nobska.net
>> ==================================
>>
>> Sent from my Ham Radio computer since I do not have a Blackberry
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
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