[TowerTalk] Vertical antennas and lightning

[Jim Miller KG0KP]

Dan, if you place a coil across the feedpoint, you will have a DC grounded 
antenna and it will bleed off the static electricity.

For instance, the Butternut vertical does exactly that and you can make the 
coil very easily.  This makes an exact duplicate of what comes with the 
Butternut.  Wrap 18 turns of #14 bare copper wire (the ground wire from a 
piece of romex for instance) around a 1 3/8 inch outside diameter form (PVC 
can be had in this dimension).  Leave enough to make a loop on each end to 
connect it across the feedpoint.  This will take about 6.5 feet plus the 
ends and loops.  Start with 8 ft and you will have enough.  Strech the 
finished to about 3.25 inches when mounted.

73, de Jim KG0KP

----- 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 5:20 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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