[OKDXA] Ice and Antennas

[Kim Elmore]

Both OU and NSSL are closed today due to impending weather, so I'm home 
and can play radio a bit. So far, may antennas are fine, if a bit 
droopy,?? but more ice is on the way. I'm hoping most of it comes as ice 
pellets (sleet) and not freezing rain.

If you'd like to look at the different types of precipitation that are 
occurring around your area (or the whole country) in real time, look at 
https://mping.ou.edu/display. This displays data that are part of a 
project I head at the National Sever Storms Laboratory to better detect 
and forecast precipitation type. It shows precipitation type 
observations from regular people (dubbed citizen science) and is 
submitted via a (FREE!) smart phone app. You can check it out at 
https://mping.ou.edu and get the app form either Google Play or the 
iTunes App Store.

Back to antennas: Even though the antennas are (so far) only a bit 
mistuned due to dielectric loading I'm having trouble rotating my 
antennas, however. I've rocked them back and forth enough that I can gr 
from about 170 to 350 degrees, but haven't gotten them much farther. 
More ice is likely on the way and I made sure my ARRL insurance is paid 
up. I've not yet lost any due to ice, but without doubt my day will 
come. I hope it's not today...

73,

Kim N5OP

-- 

Kim Elmore, Ph.D. (Adj. Assoc. Prof., OU School of Meteorology, CCM, PP 
SEL/MEL/Glider, N5OP, 2nd Class Radiotelegraph, GROL)

/"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in 
practice, there is." //??? Attributed to many people; it???s so true that it 
doesn???t matter who said it./