"If a dipole falls in a forest and there's no one there to hear it,
does it make a sound?"

===============================

Yes. All falling trees make a sound. But if there's nobody to hear it who
cares?

But this business about 100 watt transmitters causing forest fires is
exaggerated. Even if there's a conjugal impedance match between a dead leaf
and the transmitter there's little to worry about even when its not raining.
And the density of foliage is hardly likely to allow flames, should they
occur, to leap from one leaf to another.

The climate and type of tree involved is, of course, of some consequence.
Deciduous trees and those found in South American and Indianesian jungles
can be disregarded from this discussion,

If you should live in Australia, the home of Eucaliptus trees, during the
dry season, and it's always dry, there is a one in 100 million chance of a
tree catching fire by radio. Always supposing by some remote chance it
hasn't first been struck by lightning.

Eucaliptus trees positively enjoy fire. They depend on it to propagate
efficiently. This may be an unfortunate trait insofar as kangaroos and
wallabies are concerned but alligators are quite happy with the way things
have been arranged. The Aussies themselves take care not to build their
houses too near to eucaliptus plantations. The Abbo's, with their 50,000
years of experience, radio or not, are quite happy and sensible enough to
leave things as they are.

The USA has wide variations in climate and tree population. Thoughtful
citizens ought to concentrate their minds on hurricanes, twisters,
atmospheric pollution and gun laws. 100-watt transmitters and G5RV's can
look after themselves. ;o)
---
Reg.