The Primary Coil forms is the inductive part 
of the primary circuit, along with the primary capacitor these two componants 
form a resonant circuit.
As the primary coil handles all of the 
stored power in the primary capacitance and is almost a short circut, It has to 
be capable of withstanding large current pulses. For this reason it is usallly 
constructed from copper tubing or heavy guage wire. 
For Tuning purposes the primary coil is 
tapped to allow its inductance to be changed and therefore the resonant 
frequency of the primary circuit as a whole.
It is generally easier to vary the 
inductance than the size of the primary capacitor.
  
      
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 Spiral wound Primary made from coper tubing Lower coupling to secondary, Smaller Inductance per turn.  | 
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Helical 
      wound Primary made from copper wire. High coupling, Larger inductance/turn  | 
		
		
 
      
