Cec, in this little country we don't seem to suffer from static from
dust or other dry storms. Rather rarely, when a thunderstorm is in the
vicinity, I have experienced rain-static which occurs only during a
heavy 'tropical' downpour. At such times I am inclined to disconnect
the antenna, anyway, to avoid damage due to a direct lightning strike
on the antenna or house. The S-meter may rise to S-10 or S-11 for a
few minutes but this extreme occurs only once every few years. I have
never experienced static due to dry snow. I have only once experienced
static on a nice warm day with a completely blue sky and this lasted
only for half an hour. Never figured out why.

Using a high value resistor or choke to ground the antenna doesn't
have any effect on S-meter noise level. I would not expect it to.

I cannot see how loop antennas are less susceptible to static except
that their smaller size may have a smaller catchment area for
particles or raindrops.

Could you briefly describe what happens to the S-meter on the 160, 80
and 40 meter bands when severe static occurs in Texas, or any other
States, and how frequently static weather conditions occur strong
enough to temporally put one off the air?
----
Reg.