[TowerTalk] Lightning... and pointed rods!

[David Jordan]

BOB...there are also people out there that don't agree with your
statements regarding dissipators....

There are commercial companies out there selling solutions with porky
pine needles that apparently work much, if not all of the time, such as
"Lightning Eliminators & Consultants Inc., and Lightning Prevention
Systems".

Dissipating air terminals do work if properly installed and maintained.

Since I didn't inspect the TV station installation I can't say whether
the video is anything more than sales hype from the other company with
the alternative approach...If dissipators aren't installed properly they
will make a great sales video for companies selling "old technology"
alternatives.

The preventive theory which acts on the inverse properites of nature is
proven every time a lightning strike occurs. Nature neutralizes a cloud
by dissipating ions to the earths surface, lightning prevention systems
neutralize your antenna tower (property) by dissipating ions into the
atmosphere. By "sufficiently"  depleting the amount of charge on the
earths surface and on surrounding structures two of the three elements
necessary for a strike to occur have been elimnated, thus a lightning
strike has been prevented.

Bottom line for hams...better have a really good ground regardless of
whether you are into PolyPhaser arrestors or LPS dissipators!

Have Fun,
dave
WA3GIN


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