On 5/15/2011 1:30 PM, Jim Lux wrote:
> On 5/15/11 8:43 AM, Tommy Alderman wrote:
>> Sorry - but I just have to ask this: Please explain how the other side of
>> the 'dirty'
>> insulator finds ground to discharge the static build up?
>>
>> Tom - W4BQF
>>
Back in 66 while we were building a new home, I had a temporary set up
where we were staying. The antenna was a 33' vertical setting on a pop
bottle on 40 with only a half dozen radials. It was a good 125-150 feet
to the antenna IIRC. The RG-8 came in through the floor into a closet.
When not in use I'd disconnect the coax and coil the inside end in the
closet.
One really windy and cold afternoon it started snowing. It was the dry,
powdery type of snow. I started hearing something making a snapping
sound and it was getting louder. It didn't take long to trace it to
that closet. By then it was about as loud as a 22 rifle. (quite loud)
When I opened the closet door thee was the PL259 generating a FAT blue
spark that was extending out from the end of the connector much farther
than I'd have ever expected and it was doing it every 2 or 3 seconds.
This was in Lower Michigan which is not noted for a dry climate.
73
Roger (K8RI)
> usually, it's connected to something else that is also dirty (rope) or a
> conductor (e.g. wire) or something.. In the case of the
> dipole/balun/coax, then the leakage path is on the surface of the balun
> to the shield.
>
> It doesn't take much to have a leakage path that will bleed off static.
>
> If it gets below freezing, though, or you're out in the desert where
> it's very dry, then you're more likely to need something extra. (dry
> blowing snow or dust can deposit an amazing amount of charge pretty
> quickly... lots of documented stories back in the telegraph days of
> steady arcs from the lines to ground)
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