When thunder roars, go indoors.
Be safe. Don't take chances with lightning.
73, NJ2X
July 7, 2012
July 6, 2012
So what happens to window line in a lightning strike?
So what happens to window line in a lightning strike?
We had the opportunity to inspect sections of window line that had been subjected to the effects a lightning strike. Interestingly, the copper wire was completely absent from the plastic. Copper vampires?
There were a few clues. The first clue was in the form of copper color specs on the insulation - almost as though it had been lightly and randomly sprayed on by a spray can. An additional clue was the plastic which showed evidence of violent heating and had two burnt tracks running along where the copper had once been.
All the clues pointed to the copper having been completely vaporized in an instant by the lightning. This must have been an incredibly violent moment and would have been frightful to witness. Lightning is an extremely powerful force - it can have 100 million to 1 billion volts, and contains billions of watts. As lightning passes through air, it can heat the air to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit: about 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun.
We noticed that AE5X had a similar experience which he posted on his blog.
We had the opportunity to inspect sections of window line that had been subjected to the effects a lightning strike. Interestingly, the copper wire was completely absent from the plastic. Copper vampires?
There were a few clues. The first clue was in the form of copper color specs on the insulation - almost as though it had been lightly and randomly sprayed on by a spray can. An additional clue was the plastic which showed evidence of violent heating and had two burnt tracks running along where the copper had once been.
All the clues pointed to the copper having been completely vaporized in an instant by the lightning. This must have been an incredibly violent moment and would have been frightful to witness. Lightning is an extremely powerful force - it can have 100 million to 1 billion volts, and contains billions of watts. As lightning passes through air, it can heat the air to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit: about 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun.
We noticed that AE5X had a similar experience which he posted on his blog.
July 4, 2012
So how often does the Empire State Building get stuck by lightning?
Amazingly, the Empire State Building is struck by lightning, on average, over 100 times a
year. So lightning can and does strick the same place more than once.
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| Empire State Building Lightning Strike 2006 |
Can lightning strike an airplane?
This is a rather amazing video of lightning striking an airplane mid-flight. The plane and passengers were unaffected. Lightning can strike and object in mid-air. In fact, it is a relatively common occurrence for commercial aircraft to be struck by lightning. Fortunately, all commercial aircraft are designed and equipped with lightning protection.
July 1, 2012
Lightning Strikes The Eiffel Tower
This is rather amazing picture Lightning striking the Eiffel Tower circa 1902. Is your station grounding and lightning surpression up to task?
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| Lightning striking the Eiffel Tower 1902 |
June 23, 2012
ARRL Field Day - June 23 - 24, 2012
Its that time of year again folks - ARRL Field Day is here June 23-24, 2012!
Field Day is a contest, an emergency preparedness exercise, a public relations demonstration, a great event for clubs, and a great way to get on the air and have some fun. The spirit of Field Day is to operate away from the shack, commercial power, under field conditions for 24 hours in June.
The objective is to work as many stations as possible on any and all amateur bands (excluding the 60, 30, 17, and 12-meter bands) and to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions. Field Day is open to all amateurs in the areas covered by the ARRL/RAC Field Organizations and countries within IARU Region 2. DX stations residing in other regions may be contacted for credit, but are not eligible to submit entries.
Checkout the ARRL Field Day website for complete details. Don't forget the sun screen, bug spray, and plenty of snacks and water.
Hope to hear you all on the air.
NJ2X
Be sure to check out our related article on NJ2X.com:
Amateur Radio Field Day Food - QSL Quiche
Field Day is a contest, an emergency preparedness exercise, a public relations demonstration, a great event for clubs, and a great way to get on the air and have some fun. The spirit of Field Day is to operate away from the shack, commercial power, under field conditions for 24 hours in June.
The objective is to work as many stations as possible on any and all amateur bands (excluding the 60, 30, 17, and 12-meter bands) and to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions. Field Day is open to all amateurs in the areas covered by the ARRL/RAC Field Organizations and countries within IARU Region 2. DX stations residing in other regions may be contacted for credit, but are not eligible to submit entries.
Checkout the ARRL Field Day website for complete details. Don't forget the sun screen, bug spray, and plenty of snacks and water.
Hope to hear you all on the air.
NJ2X
Be sure to check out our related article on NJ2X.com:
Amateur Radio Field Day Food - QSL Quiche
June 22, 2012
Visualizing Lightning
NASA maintains a cumulative visualization of global lightning strikes from January 1998 to present day from the NASA/MSFC Lightning Imaging Sensor. This is a fascinating work and is perhaps compelling enough to motivate a few hams (especially those living in the high strike zones) to improve their station's grounding and lightning protection.
June 15, 2012
Amateur Radio Kids Day - June 16, 2012
Kids Day is an on-air event to encourage young people (licensed or not) to have fun with Amateur Radio. It is designed to give on-the-air experience to youngsters and hopefully foster interest in getting a license of their own. It is also intended to give older hams a chance to share their station and love for Amateur Radio with their children.
The traditional exchange for kids day is: name, age, location, and favorite color. Be sure to work the same station again if an operator has changed. To draw attention, call “CQ Kids Day.”
We have enjoyed operating on kids day in year's past. It has always been a lot of fun. 99% of the contacts have been very positive. The best contacts have been with hams who are patient and encouraging to the youngsters (a.k.a Potential Future Hams).
We have encountered one or two not-so-patient and not-so-encouraging contacts. These hams seemed to have not been aware of the kids day event nor understood the intent. If you belong to an amateur radio club or net please pass the word about this year's kids day event.
The traditional exchange for kids day is: name, age, location, and favorite color. Be sure to work the same station again if an operator has changed. To draw attention, call “CQ Kids Day.”
- Saturday, June 16, 2012
We have enjoyed operating on kids day in year's past. It has always been a lot of fun. 99% of the contacts have been very positive. The best contacts have been with hams who are patient and encouraging to the youngsters (a.k.a Potential Future Hams).
We have encountered one or two not-so-patient and not-so-encouraging contacts. These hams seemed to have not been aware of the kids day event nor understood the intent. If you belong to an amateur radio club or net please pass the word about this year's kids day event.
Raritan Valley Radio Club Hamfest June 16, 2012
For New Jersey area hams, the Raritan Valley Radio Club Hamfest is on June 16, 2012. Hope to see you all there.
May 25, 2012
May 20, 2012
May 14, 2012
The Dayton Hamvention 2012 Internationally Connected
Hope to see you all at The Dayton Hamvention® 2012 "Internationally Connected" event will be held on May 18-20 2012 at the Hara Arena in Dayton, OH.
Since 1952 Hamvention® has been sponsored by Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA). For many years it has been the world's largest amateur radio gathering, attracting hams from throughout the globe.
Interested in learning more about the Hamvention® experience? Check out this collection of Hamvention® resources on the internet.
Since 1952 Hamvention® has been sponsored by Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA). For many years it has been the world's largest amateur radio gathering, attracting hams from throughout the globe.
Interested in learning more about the Hamvention® experience? Check out this collection of Hamvention® resources on the internet.
May 6, 2012
LZ129 Hindenburg Disaster 75 Years Ago Today
75 years ago today (May 6, 1937 7:25 PM), the German passenger airship LZ129 Hindenburg caught fire during its attempt to dock with a mooring mast at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey. One ground crew member and 35 of the 97 people onboard lost their lives.
Herbert Morrison recorded a radio eyewitness report (36 minutes) for WLS (Chicago) which was later broadcasted the day after the tragedy.
Herbert Morrison recorded a radio eyewitness report (36 minutes) for WLS (Chicago) which was later broadcasted the day after the tragedy.
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| LZ129 Hindenburg |
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