[OKDXA] Lightning Protection For Thrust Bearing

[Kim Elmore]

I'm speculating here, but I'll guess that you don't need the bypass for 
things *inside* the tower. Lightning is RF and lightning currents will 
stay on the outside of the structure (think skin effect). So 
(essentially) tying the inside of the tower to the outside won't do 
anything, good or bad.

73,

Kim N5OP

On 10/4/2021 6:29 PM, D C _Mac_ Macdonald wrote:
> 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
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-- 
Kim Elmore, Ph

Kim Elmore, Ph.D. (Adj. Assoc. Prof., OU School of Meteorology, CCM, PP 
SEL/MEL/Glider, UAS, N5OP, 2nd Class Radiotelegraph, GROL)

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