[ADXA] sleet/ice and static buildup on antennas

[Jay Bromley]

HI Jussi,
 I have also seen that blue ball of flame from a bulkhead connector unhooked from the radio.  Not all snow storms do that, but I have sure seen it.

I have also seen it with some light rain, like in the beginning of a rain storm.  I didn't see it this time, but wanted to catch that with the camera.  I was ready to film it, but when it didn't produce, I hooked back up.  However, I have since installed lightning arrestors on all the bulkheads.  This I am sure helps!  One ham in Pocola, OK, filmed it, but the video isn't great.    You can also hear the racket on the radio when the static like that is building up.  I do try to have DC grounding on as much of my stuff, but some antennas are designed to float.

One time I was being silly, I hooked up a neon bulb and watch it flash for a few hours during a snow storm.  Got tired of hearing the pop across the bulkhead  and I was in the other room at the time.  I guess the particles have to be the right charge for this to happen?

It would surely do damage to a radio.  I have some pictures of damage like this, but one radio is still working and if you didn't see the damage on the inside of the radio, you would never know it.

73 de jay/w5jay..
________________________________
From: adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net <adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Jussi Eloranta <eloranta at aa6kj.hopto.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2026 12:52 PM
To: 'ADXA' <adxa at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [ADXA] sleet/ice and static buildup on antennas

Hi,

Charles (KF5TL) mentioned that static electricity can build up in
antennas during heavy ice/sleet storms. He and EJ also observed this
same thing last night. So, I will definitely be disconnecting my
antennas during future sleet/ice storms. Ice particles hitting metal
surfaces can produce even kV charges (low current of curse) but enough
to damage radios. Just wanted to let everyone know that there is this
kind of possibility - be careful.

Jussi (aa6kj)


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