[TowerTalk] Cushcraft AP8 Vertical

[Ron W8RJL]

I just obtained an old AP8 which was broken off at the base. There is a round black plastic blob directly above and connected to the center pin of the SO-239 feed point connector. I have reviewed the manual for the AP8 and that item does not appear in the parts list. My educated guess is that it is an RF Choke used to keep the vertical grounded to eliminate static charge. It might also be shunt inductance for feed point impedance matching. Can anyone confirm my suspicions? I doubt a replacement part is available so I will probably have to wind my own. Comments welcome. 73, Ron W8RJL