This sounds complicated...
 
  Should they be necessary on the 320 and especially if one is getting comm
noise during xmit only when airborne?

Gerard,

 

Maybe I didn't read your first message closely enough.  I don't think static wicks are a solution to your specific problem.  Most people would complain of static during the reception of radio communications.

 

Since you say you have problems only during transmit in flight, consider the following:

 

1. Does the person receiving the communications report that they are hearing static? If so, check for solid connections from  mike to radio to power to antenna.  Remember that during xmit, the radio is making the greatest power draw and things such as a bad ground may show up more during this operation - especially in a high vibration environment. 

 

2. If you are the only one to hear the static, note that you are not hearing the actual transmission but the side tone generated by the radio reflecting back to your headset what you are saying into the mike. If this is the case, you should check connections from the mike to radio to audio panel and back to headset.  Turn off the intercom and see if the static continues.  Audio circuits are very susceptible to "interference."

 

I am not the one to talk to about static wicks on fiberglass insulators.  I do not believe they would have much affect unless they are electrically bonded to everything that can be a source of discharge.   

 

If p-static is a problem, you should consider the finish on the skin of the airplane.  I flew my 320 for a year in primer and noted that it was very conducive to the formation of skin static - so much so that the initial LORAN unit failed soon after takeoff.  On the ground when I would drag my hand across the cowl the hair on my arm would stand up.  This problem went away with a switch to GPS and a nice paint job.