I am hoping for having more lightning protection with my antenna in place over that of no antenna at all? Is this possible?
Regards, Jim Candela WD5JKO --------------------------------tom sez------------------------------- Jim, Try visiting the PolyPhaser website and read their treatise on Lightning protection. Lots of great information and practical ideas. Several locals here swear by the "brush" or "porcupine" type of device for the top of your tower/mast. These devices are rather controversial in the professional side of lightning protection. There have been several discussions, some quite lively, on the repeater-builders and tower groups. Probably wouldn't hurt to use them and might help! Google lightning protection and you will find lots of interesting reading. There is actually a lightning protection group out there. I have no personal experience with them, other than the fact that the condition of static wicks/points on an airplane lessen the damage from a strike on the airframe. Next time you are in a jet, take a look at the trailing edge/wing tips and you will see some sharp pointed wicks to drain the static charge from the airframe. I think the conventional wisdom is to use at least #6 copper clad to bond the tower/mast to the rod field. #12 would probably vaporize with a direct hit, as would #6 I suppose, but the heavier wire would conduct a greater amount of the surge and offer more protection. It sounds like you are on the right trail! Good luck on your adventure, 73 de Tom/W4OKW Although not applicable to this current thread, here is a common error seen in discussions: Lightning = noun, the flashing of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric electricity. Lightening = verb, to illuminate or to make light or clear; to relieve of a burden.
