[TowerTalk] Anti-Lightning devices

[Dale Martin]

On Monday, August 04, 1997 11:23 AM, Merv Schweigert[SMTP:k9fd@htc.net] wrote:
>>> According to Polyphaser they don't work. Why were you so convinced.
>>>  
>>>  73 Steve W8GAZ
>>  
>>>  Just saw the Wireman's talk at hamfest Jacksonville about using spikey
>>>  devices to dissapate lightning before it happens.  Very convincing.  I
>>>  intend to install some on my towers asap.  de K4VUD
>>>  
>>      The topic of static dissipaters has been a topic of some conjecture in
>>the broadcast and communications industries for years. Do they work? It
>>depends on who you talk to. Both sides of the argument are adamant concerning
>>their effectiveness. 
>>
>>     OTOH, Charlie is never afraid to break new ground.
>>     Steve
>
>
>        I think Steve is correct, lot of conjecture about the subject, 
>just one comment, for anyone who has traveled to China and looked around
>at antenna's etc.  All you can see is the spikey devices sticking up.
>The cities and villages are just covered with them, on skyscrapers they
>are very large ball shaped spikes.  Do they work, dunno.  Have asked
>about them and they claim yes they do work, why do you think they are 
>up there.  But then my Chinese is pretty poor also.. 
>        73 Merv K9FD
>
>        
>
>
I don't know if they work.  But, some of the buildings at work
(NASA Johnson Space Center) have spikes along the roof edges. 
Also, at Houston Zoo, the Brown Education Center, among others
there, has spikes all around the roof edges and along the roof peaks.

And didn't a lot of the barns of yesteryear (or maybe even this year)
have pointy tipped lightning rods at their peaks? 

It seems to be an idea that is pretty deeply entrenched if it doesn't 
work.  



Dale Martin, KG5U
kg5u@hal-pc.org
http://www.hal-pc.org/~kg5u


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