Elecraft

ESD and Storms

Classic

List

Threaded

3 messages Options

Dave G.

ESD and Storms

Just to add to the knowledge base...
One misconception is that, if was no storm, there was
no lightning...

At one point in my career I had the fortune to do some
work at NASA, and came across a nice piece of
research concerning Clear Air Lightning.

Lightning can and does occur on perfectly clear days. At
MSFC (Huntsville,AL) there have been recorded in
excess of 1000 CAL strikes in one day. !!

Caveat !!

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Bob - W5BIG

Re: ESD and Storms

During a very light rain, with no accompanying lighting, there can be static
charge build up on an antenna.
I've seen sparks about 1/4 inch across a ground switch that wasn't quite
closed.
Also, wind alone can build up a static charge.
Rolling or unrolling coax can generate a static charge. I experienced damage
once with only a six foot length of coax.

Always short a open transmission line before connecting it to your rig.

73/ Bob - W5BIG

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave G." <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 11:07 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] ESD and Storms

> Just to add to the knowledge base...
> One misconception is that, if was no storm, there was
> no lightning...
>
> At one point in my career I had the fortune to do some
> work at NASA, and came across a nice piece of
> research concerning Clear Air Lightning.
>
> Lightning can and does occur on perfectly clear days. At
> MSFC (Huntsville,AL) there have been recorded in
> excess of 1000 CAL strikes in one day. !!
>
> Caveat !!
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Alan Fryer-2

Re: ESD and Storms

One of the worst shocks I ever got was off the feedline on a big cubical
quad in a blizzard. Made me forever respect static build up on antennas....

Alan, N3BJ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob - W5BIG" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 1:18 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ESD and Storms

> During a very light rain, with no accompanying lighting, there can be
static
> charge build up on an antenna.
> I've seen sparks about 1/4 inch across a ground switch that wasn't quite
> closed.
> Also, wind alone can build up a static charge.
> Rolling or unrolling coax can generate a static charge. I experienced
damage

> once with only a six foot length of coax.
>
> Always short a open transmission line before connecting it to your rig.
>
> 73/ Bob - W5BIG
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave G." <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 11:07 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] ESD and Storms
>
>
> > Just to add to the knowledge base...
> > One misconception is that, if was no storm, there was
> > no lightning...
> >
> > At one point in my career I had the fortune to do some
> > work at NASA, and came across a nice piece of
> > research concerning Clear Air Lightning.
> >
> > Lightning can and does occur on perfectly clear days. At
> > MSFC (Huntsville,AL) there have been recorded in
> > excess of 1000 CAL strikes in one day. !!
> >
> > Caveat !!
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Post to: [hidden email]
> > You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com