[Lowfer] Charge build-up

[Mitch Powell]

> I've never experienced your "dry snow static buildup" but some years ago
> when I was trying to receive on my Lowfer vertical I was getting this
> horrendous screeching sound that must have been some kind of electrical
> discharge. 

In a previous life - I was stationed at High Arctic Weather station Isachsen
at 78N 103W (approx 700 miles from Santa's workshop ). We used VEE beams,
three wires approx 330 feet long and approx 60 feet high. These three wires
were terminated at the "radio shack" with open wire line - into a 12 inch
knife switch, supported on ceramic pillars. We could then select the
appropriate pair for directivity, as required.
As you probably know, the Arctic is essentially a desert - it's just that
the snow never leaves ! ! and there is very little snow in a season, but the
wind is violent - and the wind blows the dry snow across the wide-open
tundra and when it strikes these nicely insulated looooooooong wires - it's
like Mr. Tesla has arrived. The electrostactic charges build to very large
levels and then suddenly discharge - and if we had forgotten to ground
everything - it was a rather rude awakening. We had arcs of 12-15 inches
across the ceramic to the ground - with accompanying noise. That would wake
you up on the midnight shift ! ! !
I'm glad we didn't let the cat out on those nights <gr>

P.S. Bill - I changed the transformer ratio from 12:1 to 6:1 and doubled the
rf current in the loop. Now measuring 1 amp rms - using rf ammeter.

73
Mitch VE3OT