[GreenKeys] Lightning risk for old time telegraphers and TTY operators

[amourdutigre]

Here is a question that I have often wondered about. In the days of open wire circuits, it seems to me that (especially in the plains and the open deserts) that lightning would be a real factor in the operation of landline TTY and Telegraph circuits. 

I realize that even though lightning is a DC potential (huge DC potential) that it has some LC characteristics in that it 'pulses' for lack of a better term, and its safe grounding to earth can be effected by all sorts of things.

How did the old time telegraphers deal with this danger, especially when it might be clear and sunny where they were operating, yet a lightning bolt hit the wires a hundred miles away where it was storming?

Just curious...I realize this might be an old question, but I am not sure how to use the archives. 

Best and 73

Joe KB0TXC

P.S. I have found some open wire circuits that follows the major rail line that goes east out of Kansas City along highway 210 (I think) through North Kansas City, which lays north of the Missouri River. The lines seem to be well maintained, and they are genuine open wire lines with glass insulators, and every so many miles, it seems that there is some sort of drop from the lines with woven wires of some sort, that terminate in a large silver box near the rail right of way. I am assuming (oh dear) that these are either train signaling circuits or automatic turnout control circuits, but could be very mistaken. If anyone is interested, I will take some photos and post them. BTW, the wires seem to be strung very tight...I would think that in cold weather, that they might snap. There is almost no sag whatsoever in them.

j 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/greenkeys/attachments/20090130/1277ae19/attachment-0001.html