Hello folks,

I've read for many years of how one should always disconnect the
antenna when it snows. I'm curious, though, as to why snow is
something that would be of particular concern. I guess the concern
over thunderstorms seems straightforward enough...that lightning
strikes, even at some distance away, can result in significant,
potentially damaging static voltages in the antenna. But does/can
atmospheric conditions during a snow result in this same sort of
phenomenon?

As an aside, related or perhaps not, in the areas of the U.S. in which
I've resided, I've only lived through one thunder-snow.

Anyway, just wondering about that.

Junius

On 7 Feb 2006 16:21:38 -0800, "junius" wrote:

Hello folks,

I've read for many years of how one should always disconnect the
antenna when it snows. I'm curious, though, as to why snow is
something that would be of particular concern. I guess the concern
over thunderstorms seems straightforward enough...that lightning
strikes, even at some distance away, can result in significant,
potentially damaging static voltages in the antenna. But does/can
atmospheric conditions during a snow result in this same sort of
phenomenon?

As an aside, related or perhaps not, in the areas of the U.S. in which
I've resided, I've only lived through one thunder-snow.

Anyway, just wondering about that.

Junius

Static electricity is caused by the snow hitting the wire. If you use
an unbalanced transformer on your antenna and the low side is
grounded, you're OK. The good radios have an UnUn built-in.

In article .com,
"junius" wrote:

Hello folks,

I've read for many years of how one should always disconnect the
antenna when it snows. I'm curious, though, as to why snow is
something that would be of particular concern. I guess the concern
over thunderstorms seems straightforward enough...that lightning
strikes, even at some distance away, can result in significant,
potentially damaging static voltages in the antenna. But does/can
atmospheric conditions during a snow result in this same sort of
phenomenon?

As an aside, related or perhaps not, in the areas of the U.S. in which
I've resided, I've only lived through one thunder-snow.

Anyway, just wondering about that.

Snow flakes can and do carry static charge. This is transferred to the
wire and voltage builds up until discharged.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

Telamon,

Why Do Snow Flakes (Frozen Water) Carry a Static Electrical
Charge and Normal Rain Drops (Liquid Water) Do Not ? ? ?

Could It Be . . .
Shape and Size of the Structures while they are passing through
the Air and the Ease of Moluculer Movement (or lack of same)
within the Structures while they are passing through the Air.

Environmental ESD, Part I: The Atmospheric Electric Circuit
- by - Niels Jonassen "Mr. Static"
http://www.ce-mag.com/archive/02/07/mrstatic.html
An Understanding of the Atmospheric Electric Circuit
provides an insight into the processes underlying ESD events.

Environmental ESD, Part II: Thunderstorms and Lightning Discharges
- by - Niels Jonassen "Mr. Static"
http://www.ce-mag.com/archive/02/09/mrstatic.html
The Properties of ThunderStorms and Lightning Discharges as
related to the Atmospheric Electric Circuit are discussed.

Mr. Static - Index = http://www.ce-mag.com/mrstatic.html
The On-Line Resource for Static-Related Compliance Issues


someone / anyone enlighten me more - i want to know ~ RHF

I didn't know snow builds static,untill somebody mentioned it in this
news group.I learn something every day.
cuhulin