[Hallicrafters] Antenna Lightning Protection

[Glen Zook]

Generally the more "points" that you have in the air the better the dissipation and therefore less lighting strikes.  In addition, the more metal that is in the horizontal plane helps as well.  That is basically what a dissipation device does.  All of the additional "points" help dissipate the electric charge and therefore "feelers" are less likely to form.  It is only after a "feeler" has been formed that the main charge will come from the sky.  As such, lightning definitely starts from the ground although most of the energy does come from the sky.

One of the worst things to have, and one of the hardest to add dissipation devices to, is a vertical antenna.  Those amateur radio operators having a vertical are MUCH more likely to take a direct strike than someone with yagis.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Wed, 1/7/09, ken at savage99.com <ken at savage99.com> wrote:

From: ken at savage99.com <ken at savage99.com>

I live on a slight hill but still the highest spot in my township.  Years ago I erected a 45' tower which would get hit at least once a year. Needless to say I made sure it and feedlines were well grounded at the appropriate points.  Later I put up four long two meter beams, with all those elements and points.
 
One day I was sitting out in my shed where I could see my antennas and a view west.  As a storm approached I could hear the coronal discharge build at all those points.  There would be a lightening discharge 5-6 mile away to the west and the discharge would stop and then slowly build again.  This went on until the storm for 30 minutes or so. Interestedly, since the two beams have been up I have only noticed one hit.