[TowerTalk] Discharge with a dipole

[Jim Lux]

On 5/15/11 8:43 AM, Tommy Alderman wrote:
> Sorry - but I just have to ask this: Please explain how the other side of the 'dirty'
> insulator finds ground to discharge the static build up?
>
> Tom - W4BQF
>

usually, it's connected to something else that is also dirty (rope) or a 
conductor (e.g. wire) or something..  In the case of the 
dipole/balun/coax, then the leakage path is on the surface of the balun 
to the shield.

It doesn't take much to have a leakage path that will bleed off static.

If it gets below freezing, though, or you're out in the desert where 
it's very dry, then you're more likely to need something extra.  (dry 
blowing snow or dust can deposit an amazing amount of charge pretty 
quickly... lots of documented stories back in the telegraph days of 
steady arcs from the lines to ground)