> The successful plan on SYRINX (with it's plethora of Electronics, Ham
> Gear, Computers, and Antenas ALL over the place!!), has been to take
> a Wide piece of heavy Flexible Braid and Clamp it to the (uninsulated)
> Backstay with a Large Electrical-U-Clamp - It is sufficiently long to
> stay in the Water even in violent tossing, and is weighted pretty
> adequately by it's own mass. (Although a piece of Lead shoved up inside
> the Braid and soldered/Clamped in place wouldn't hurt, I suspect) Except
> for Anchoring or Storing in the water for extended periods of time, this
> Braid is NOT left in the Water between Storms, as it IS susceptible to
> Corrosion if left submerged a long time..
Lightning presumably produces enough current to melt a thin wire such as a
backstay. (Hundreds of amperes) What is to keep the mast from falling forward
if the backstay is vaporized?
--- DB 1.58/004910
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* Origin: The Sea and the Desert (1:114/74.2)
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