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Bill Baka · December 4th 09, 07:02 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna

wrote:
On Oct 15, 11:11 am, "Cyclone651" wrote:
If you ground the antenna and the tower/mast the lightning will flow to the
ground source of least resistance. ie: It will flow down the mast/tower to
ground and not into your house, at least that's the theory.

Actually only partially true. Think if two parallel resistors or
inductors. The current will be divided between the two. If only 1%
flows to the house, it could be very damaging.

Paul, KD7HB

*Could* be very damaging. When I lived in Minnesota on top of a hill I
ran some 4AWG wire from all the metal vents and anything metal down to a
fence post steel stake I had driven into the ground. 2 months later we
got hit by a big strike and the whole house shook but there was no
damage except that the wire on the fence post was welded by the hit.
Must have been big to instantly weld 4AWG into a stake post.
Without the wire, who knows?

Bill Baka