Inexpensive Lightning Dissipation Array
There are many articles on the Internet about lightning dissipation arrays. Essentially, you desire to have an object with many sharp points, to "bleed" or neutralize the immediate surrounding area around a tower to help eliminate the probability of a direct lightning hit. There are also people who claim that these dissipation arrays are voodoo science. I do know from personal experience and from experiences from many broadcast engineers, that these dissipation arrays do work .
They cannot guarantee that your tower will NOT be struck.
They can only promise to help to lower the possibility.
There are many commercial units out there, with very high sticker prices. But what about those of us who have a amateur radio tower to protect? I have found what I believe to be an inexpensive solution.
I was at a local plumbers wholesaler when I saw stainless steel pipe cleaners. With a little research, I found that we can get our hands on a very well qualified brush, for a very nice price.
The brushes are stainless steel, and there are a lot of them.
You an obtain this brush from a Grainger supply house, part # 3EDN1
Here I have taken two of the brushes, and a few parts from the local hardware store.
Now, simply use some hose clamps to secure this to the tower.
Note: Another brush from Grainger is # 2VMY8
All photographs copyright 2010 by Tom Bosscher K8TB