[Kenwood] Lightning protection wire antennas WA8OPR

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 14 May 2014 at 14:39, Fred wrote:

> > I would reiterate the ARRL '75 Antenna Handbook, along with numerous 
> > editions of the "West Coast" Handbook, both - have a methodology of 
> > pointed elements outside, with a gap, significantly smaller than the 
> > 2.5" that use heavy copper to have the lightning jump the much smaller 
> > gap to the piece that is grounded.

If you would re-read that article very carefully, you will find that the purpose of 
such a spark-plug device is to leak off static build-up on the antenna, and 
only secondarily is its purpose to help with lightning strokes.

If you have lived in any area where the wind causes either dust storms or 
blowing snow, you will soon find out that those can cause the build-up of 
tremendous static voltages on any antenna. That voltage easily reaches well 
over 100K volts in very short order. I have experienced that many times.

The spark-plug or spark-gap devices are specifically meant to drain those 
voltages before they can damage any component in the receiver or 
transmitter.

In point of fact, an RF choke between each antenna lead and ground would 
work better, IMHO.

Ken W7EKB