[Antennas] Dumb question?

Sun May 17 21:37:15 EDT 2009

> Can somebody prove that the presence of a porcupine has a negative
> effect on lightning protection? If there is no negative effect, then
> what harm is there in having a porcupine, which might have a positive
> effect, other than hurting somebody's ego?

 One helpful piece of empirical information is where towers were topped with "wreath" 
type of porcupine "lightning protection" devices and a chart recorder monitored the direct 
current flowing up the tower to the static dissipater and on to the "weather" the current 
was present during the overpassing of clouds, seldom more than 10 or 20 mA, and were never 
struck and when there were no clouds overhead there was/is no current.
 Many towers have been plagued by frequent ball lightning in the building until a 
"wreath" type of static dissipater was installed and never after that. This is why many 
swear by such devices. I have see a "wreath" type of static dissipater struck by 
lightning and sparks flew like an exploding sparkler.
-- 
 Ron KA4INM - No Micro$oft Products were used in sending this e-mail.
 (or any since June 1997)