[TowerTalk] Why Rain static is worse on the top antenna.

[k1ttt at arrl.net]

> Observation 2: The noise is there while rain or snow is falling. Noise
> stops when the snow or rain stops. Noise starts up again when rain or
> snow resumes. If it's not the snow or rain, whatever it is does not
> occur without the snow or rain.

i hate to throw a monkey wrench in your arguments... but this one is not
correct.  the noise can start well before the rain or snow start, and
indeed can happen when there is no rain or snow at all in the area... and
can continue well after the rain or snow stop.

as far a blowing sand or dust, read some of the references in my last post
on the subject.  also consider the effects noted by nasa in some
experiments with blowing dust creating charges on simulated mars 'space'
suits.  In at least one experiment shown on 'the science channel'
regularly enough charge accumulates on the suit and equipment to collect
the dust and obscure vision... now if all the dust is charged equally why
would it stick to a conductive object that is embedded in it?  by the
simple assumptions some on here have made they should both be at the same
potential and should repel each other.  clearly there are much more
complex interactions involved in dynamic systems like this that won't be
resolved by discussing non-scientific non-quantitative observations in
this forum.