[Boatanchors] new Ground system

[Gary Schafer]

Yes I had expected that the "expert" defense was going to be involved
somehow. :>)
I think that you will find that most self proclaimed experts hang their
hat on old myths and hear say rather than proven scientific facts. I
haven't seen any independent studies that support the manufacturers
claims of the dissipation arrays. But I have seen several studies that
disprove them.

The pole pig and your neighbors tree are quite different from a properly
grounded tower. Your tower can and probably does take many hits that you
never know about. How would you if there was no damage?

All lightning strikes are not mega strikes as some believe. A lot of
strikes are rather mild.

I can tie a rabbits foot to the tower and claim that it is protecting
the tower from lightning hits. The tower may or may not ever get hit
again. That is not a very scientific argument.

NASA is very concerned with lightning for the space shuttle launch
areas. They have a very extensive network of equipment to try and
predict strikes and their severity. They have extensively tested the
"dissipation arrays" and found no difference with or without them. They
do not employ them.

It can be shown mathematically that it is impossible to bleed off the
earths charge (which is connected to the tower). Take a look at the
Polyphaser site and look at some the tech notes there. Very
"enlightning".  :>)

73
Gary  K4FMX


Glen Zook wrote:

> That is exactly what I mean by the statement that some
> "experts" say that dissipation devices are "bunk" and
> "swear at" them while others "swear by" them.  Since
> my tower is right by my bedroom window, I would
> probably know if it took a "hit".  I definitely knew
> when the "pole pig" was hit and when my neighbor's
> trees and chimney were hit.
>
> Also, on the towers that dissipation devices were
> installed by Texas Utilities nothing other than
> attaching them to the existing ground system was done.
>  Since there has been no damage at all from lightning
> strikes since the dissipation devices were installed,
> and since several of these sites suffered damage
> several times a year from lightning strikes, it is my
> opinion that the dissipation devices are working!
>
> The engineer (a graduate EE with considerable
> experience in microwave communications) who was given
> the task of overseeing the installation of these
> devices was of the same opinion as you.  He definitely
> thought that putting them up was a "waste of money".
> However, after seeing the results, he has now become a
> definite advocate of dissipation devices.
>
> No dissipation device will protect a site 100% even
> though there are companies that will "guarantee" that
> if you install their devices "properly" that you will
> never take a strike.  Then, if you do happen to take a
> strike, they will say that the devices were not
> installed properly.  However, I do stand by my
> statement that, in my experience, that dissipation
> devices do reduce the chances of a strike by up to
> 99.9%.
>
> This is probably the most "devisive" subject that is
> discussed by those people who are engaged in
> grounding.  You won't convince me that they don't work
> and I won't convince you that they do work!  I have
> seen some very heated arguments over this subject.
> However, I am the first to admit that there is more
> than one way to protect from lightning.  My way works
> for me and your way works for you.  At least we have
> the same end results in mind!
>
> Glen, K9STH
>
> --- Gary Schafer <garyschafer@attbi.com> wrote:
>
> I was afraid you were going to say that Glen. I would
> bet you 10:1 that your tower has been hit many times
> given the location that you describe it is located in.
> It sounds as though you have very good grounding
> installed. That is the key to keep from damaging
> things. As far as the dissipation devices go, I don't
> know how to put it any nicer, they are snake oil.
>
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