Re: [TowerTalk] Lighting

[jeff millar <wa1hco@adelphia.net>]

While visiting Chuck, WA1EKV and looking at his 100 Ft tower on a hill 
with a comb of sharp points on top and 3 large ground leads at the 
bottom, he told me that he once heard hissing from the top of the tower 
during a time of dark clouds. He then measured the current in one of the 
ground lines with a clip-on DC ammeter and found 100 Amps....implying a 
sustained 300 Amps total bleeding from the cloud to ground.

I don't know if thats enough to bleed off the charge and prevent a 
strike. It's just an anecdotal data point.

jeff, wa1hco

Keith Dutson wrote:

> > My "gradually and constantly bleeding off the charge" scenario takes place
> >    
> before that, before the storm arrives.
>
> I don't get it.  Exactly what is bleeding off before the storm arrives?
>
> Keith
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jerry Keller
> Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 10:25 PM
> To: Tom Rauch
> Cc: (Reflector) TowerTalk; ke3q@msn.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Lighting
>
> OK, one more try!  Your example describes the cloud as already over the
> tower. My "gradually and constantly bleeding off the charge" scenario takes
> place before that, before the storm arrives. In my scenario, the tower area
> rarely gets enough charge built up to be attractive. When the stormcloud
> arrives, the area around the tower is already "discharged", maybe even to a
> greater degree than other surrounding areas, so it looks less attractive to
> the charge in the cloud. That's what I call a sort of "prevention", but it's
> really just making the tower a less likely target.  
> <snip>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
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>  

_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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