[TowerTalk] Lightning... and pointed rods!

[Michael Tope]

Most aircraft in the world are equipped with "static dischargers"
which are essentially pointed carbon rods mounted on the wings
designed to bleed off charge gently so as to prevent arcing from
the fuselage. 

The fact that almost every aircraft you can lay your eyes on has
a set of these mounted on its wings does tend to lend some 
credence to the theory behind  the porcupines. 

Mike, W4EF...............................  

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Wanderer" <aa0cy@VRINTER.NET>
To: "TOWER REFLECTOR" <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 5:10 PM
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] Lightning... and pointed rods!


> OK, we agree to disagree.
> 73
> Bob AA0CY/3
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
> [mailto:owner-towertalk@contesting.com]On Behalf Of David
> Jordan
> Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2000 9:32 PM
> To: Bob Wanderer
> Cc: TOWER REFLECTOR
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Lightning... and pointed rods!
> 
> 
> 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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