Howdy Folks,
Vic (K2VCO) wrote:
>
> > Mike Did you check for "wire frost" on ur antenna. that will stop
> > the xmission dead. absorbes all the signal, very bad when it hapens. you
> > can tell it's there by the blueish green "frost" on the antenna.
>
> Joel, this is an April Fool joke, right?
Nope, we have a related problem here in AZ. In the intense
summer heat, we have to deal with "wire glaze". The problem
arises from the slight melting and recrystalization of the
surface of the wire. It only affects the top few microns of
wire, but it wreaks havoc on your signal. When it recrystalizes
each night, the wire develops this "glaze" which is terribly
non-conductive.
Due to the skin effect, this is a *very* bad thing on HF. In
fact I've developed a habit of scrubbing my antennas every night
after the desert temp drops off. A simple wire brush (like the
kind you use to clean your BBQ) works just fine. Sure is nice
when the summer heat dies off and I don't have to worry about
it anymore!
I'm sure some of you other folks have to deal with your own
regional antenna problems. Any takers?
Cheers de AB7TT,
-Joe Gervais-Poisson, vole@primenet.com, AZ ScQRPions (Phoenix)
"It was the monkeys! The monkeys did it!"
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