[TowerTalk] Arc during Lightning storm

[jacobsen_5 at msn.com]

Hi all,  I've experienced something similar, 'cept it was winter, heavy blowing snow (20-30 mph winds). I went to connect an inverted L and happened to brush the feed line past the ground bar on the way to the tuner.  Got a REALLY NICE  Blue arc.  Forgot about going on the air, just played with the arc for a while.  

I've heard that the military had the similar problems in the middle east conflicts on HF (but not with snow).  Rumor has it during sand storms, the static build up was blowing the front ends out of the solid state equipment. Also heard they scrambled to get a bunch of Collins KWM2 and 75 series gear refurbed and over there. (also rumor)

73
K9WN  Jake