AM transmit tower question.

[John Wilke K9RZZ]

When looking at the base of some AM transmitting towers, a ring inside a ring can be seen. Like this:

http://www.wtfda.info/attachment.php?attachmentid=1692&d=1155468121

Is this for lightning discharge or an inductive feed?

If for lightning, why the balls AND the rings?

John K9RZZ

[w9wi]

The balls are for lightning discharge.

The rings are a 60Hz transformer for getting power up to the tower lights without short-circuiting the RF to ground.

(so at least in theory, you should never see them on a tower that's too short to require lighting)