[Elecraft] Antenna grounding idea

[Rick Shindley]

When I had to select an antenna I first got an R7 vertical (no flames,
please!) because it looked cool and I have a small lot. I placed a lightning
arrestor at the base of the vertical. Occassionally I would hear repetitive
"pops" from the receiver as the spark gap discharged.  I didn't figure this
out right away. The receiver became useless at times due to the incessant
discharges.

From an old Air Force safety film, I remembered that the electric potential
in clouds is followed by an equal, but opposite, charge along the ground
beneath the cloud (ground is not a perfect conductor so local potential
differences can exist). Clouds would pass over my R7 vertical and an
opposite charge on the ground increased the potential difference between the
driven element and ground (the ground potential changed but the insulated
driven element remained at its original potential (probably zero volts)).
When the voltage got to be too much, a spark would occur! I tried loading
the arrestor with a 1k resistor to bleed off electric potential.  Apparently
the resistance could not conduct the charge away fast enough.

Later, I switched to a ladder line-fed dipole and experienced the same
phenomenon.

Finally, I bought a 4:1 balun and placed it outside the house and grounded
the center tap on the antenna side (ladder line to ant). I ran coax into the
house (abt 10 ft) and to the K2 (now with a KAT2).  No more static
discharges! Both dipole elements are at DC ground, so no charge buildup can
occur.  I hope this idea helps someone!

Rick KC0OV
K2 1360