[CQ-Contest] Re: [TowerTalk] spider balls

[mike dl dormann]

mike dl dormann <w7dra at juno.com> wrote:
 
> i belong to (besides glowbugs) the topband reflector
> and the question
> below is about spider balls and i though you could
> give the guy a comment
> about lightning protection



-----------------I am not on either of those
reflectors-----------------------
 
However, what the person is referring to as a "spider
ball" is a form of what is more nomally called a
"spline ball" or "dissipation brush".  Yes, they
definitely will work to help dissipate the charge that
causes the "feeder" to form.
 
Lightning definitely starts from the "ground up". 
Although most of the energy does come from the sky,
the strike starts with what is called a "feeder" from
the ground.  If this feeder doesn't get started, then
there will not be a lightning strike.
 
Now, there is nothing that will absolutely guarantee
that you will not take a strike.  However, by
dissipating the charge, which can result in a "corona"
around the dissipation device, the chances of a feeder
being formed is greatly reduced.
 
You can reference those with questions to either of
the websites the URL of which appears at the end of
this message.
 

Glen, K9STH
 
Web sites
 
http://home.comcast.net/~k9sth
http://home.comcast.net/~zcomco