> Static drain chokes and ground rods should be SOP. The chokes drain > static build up which usually prevents direct hits. The chokes are > available from various broadcast suppliers.
I have a picture of a very expensive broadcast suppressor on my web page. It is nothing more than a long solenoid of thin wire. Down this page: http://www.w8ji.com/ground_systems.htm There are a lot of myths about static drain chokes, like the magically divert lightning energy or even reduce voltage gradient between the tower and clouds, reducing chances of a strike. If the tower or antenna has no resistive path to ground, a drain choke can help certain specific situations, but it generally won't help a thing for anything nearby or direct. It certainly will not reduce chances of a hit, or direct hit damage. I guess someone could wind their own for about $10 that would be much more effective than the $200 commercial chokes I have. :-) 73 Tom _______________________________________________ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
