TopBand: Balloons, Kites and Antennas

Floyd Soo, W8RO hires@rust.net
Tue, 17 Dec 1996 10:21:36 -0800


Gang,

I just want to reiterate what others have said about supporting long wore 
antennas with balloons (or kites).  Make sure you have some means of 
static dissipation!  This can become a dangerous situation without the 
proper precautions!  There will be many thousands of volts developed on 
these airborne antennas!  Remember some of the problems the folks 
encountered during thre Gulf War?  Using a balloon to raise a wire up in 
the air will yield similar results with static discharge!  Needless to 
say, I wouldn't be doing this anywhere near a thunderstorm!  Protect 
yourselves and your equipment from static discharge!
-- 
Floyd Soo, W8RO  (ex KF8AT)
President, HI-RES Communications, Inc.
Net Manager and Board Member, Collins Collectors Association
QRP-L #392
hires@rust.net
http://www.rust.net/~hires

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