[Kenwood] Lightning protection wire antennas WA8OPR

Wed May 14 14:43:39 EDT 2014

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.
OT'ers used this with uninsulated open wire feeds. It will work just as 
easily with one single wire outfitted the same way.
The lightning will seek the most direct path to ground.
YMMV.
Bob - N0DGN
On 5/14/2014 2:13 PM, Kenneth G. Gordon wrote:
> Yes. Rotor wires were not grounded, thereby defeating some of the
> protection provided by the grounded tower.
>> The whole field of lightning-research is very complex.
>> However, as I said, a PROPERLY grounded and elevated conductive
> structure TENDS to provide protection against nearby lightning strikes.
>> And to reiterate: a 2.5" gap is most certainly no protection at all.
>> Ken W7EKB