[Antennas] Dumb question?

[K1TTT]

> My feeling is that by placing a sharply pointed 'tip' to the top of the
> mast will help dissipate a charge before it builds to strike potential.
> As you are aware, this is how Ben's stuff works. Lightning rods cannot
> withstand a direct 'hit'. They are for dissipation purposes.

Franklin rods are designed to be the target for direct lightning strokes.
They can not, nor can the porcupine things you may see advertised, dissipate
the charge to prevent strikes.

> 
> OR, am I inviting a strike with the pointy rod????

Yes, that is what they are for.  If you do have stuff farther down the tower
that you would like to protect (though not perfectly) a bit more then put a
rod at the top.


David Robbins K1TTT
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