I scrupulously followed the diagrams from the 1957 ARRL Handbook which showed
this novice that year how to use a two pole, double throw knife switch to
change downcoming lightning off to ground.
I learned a lot about believing ARRL all the time when lightning directly hit
my 40m dipole, put up without modeling, melted the wire INSIDE the poly tv twin
lead, melted all the contacts on the switch (switched-to-ground, of course),
and dripped the molten metal into burn spots on wood floor, and genuinely
toasted the Globe Chief and S-38d. My mom and I were seated across the small
room and got to see the three foot diameter ball of glowing orange fly over
against the other wall. Oh, the thru-the-wall ground wire, #6, insulation
caught on fire, and I was handy there and snuffed it.
At age 15, I learned a little bit about EE books and the organization that put
this one on the market. I admit creeping, increased skepticism ever since.
73, Charly old KN4VUD, CUL OM
P.S., I later heard the lightning was sorely disappointed it did not find
PolyPhasers there to munch on for a snack.
> Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:53:53 -0800
> From: jim@audiosystemsgroup.com
> To: amps@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [Amps] The genius of ham radio
>
> On Mon,1/12/2015 6:56 PM, Fuqua, Bill L wrote:
> > I don't know the answer. Perhaps there is a way to get the ARRL back on
> > track.
> > It takes someone in the upper ranks there who can see the Handbook for what
> > it is
> > and get seek out the authors that can contribute to it and also start
> > serious peer
> > review rather than mutual pats on each others backs.
>
> Perhaps you (and others) should read recent editions of the Handbook
> before criticizing it. I have, and I've also contributed stuff. I know
> both the prior editor, N6BV) (now retired) and the current one, Ward
> Silver, N0AX. Both are very sharp guys, and know their stuff cold. Ward
> consistently writes excellent stuff for QST -- indeed, it's almost the
> only thing in QST that doesn't make me cringe.
>
> Ward took over the Handbook about 4 years ago, and has been working hard
> at improving it. The latest version of the Antenna Book is is first, and
> he's hard at work on that too.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
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