[OKDXA] Lightning Protection For Thrust Bearing

[D C _Mac_ Macdonald]

DX Engineering has a by-pass kit to direct
a lightning strike from the mast above the
tower top to a location on a tower leg.  This
kit shows the thrust bearing on a flat plate
at the top of the tower.  I have my thrust
bearing mounted down inside the tower about
6 feet to carry the load of the mast & antennas
with the rotator another 6 feet below that which
carries no dead weight load at all.  This allows
for the removal and reinstallation of the rotator
without disturbing the rest of the antenna systems.

Do I need to have a similar system with a shorter
cable to tie the mast down to a spot on a tower leg?
The mast has no direct solid connection to the tower
other than the tube in which the mast rotates.

I believe I could (if necessary) replace the bearing
by removing the rotator, detaching the bearing from
its mounting plate, moving that mount plate down
through the now free mast bottom, and then the
thrust bearing itself.

Ideas/suggestions welcome.

73 - Mac, K2GKK/5
Since 30 Nov 1953
Oklahoma City, OK
USAF (Retired) 61-81
FAA (Retired) 94-10