From: "Mike Dennison" <mike.dennison@ntlworld.com>
To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:29:52 +0100
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Subject: Re: LF: G3XDV off
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>          Are you the originator of the saying "You're not a real LF
> experimenter if you haven't had a fire"? I heard/saw this somewhere
> and I'm trying to track down its origin!
> -- 
> 73 Warren K2ORS
>                 WD2XGJ
>                 WD2XSH/23
>                 WE2XEB/2
>                 WE2XGR/1
> >

Well, it is possible but I can't confirm it. I think many LF 
operators have had small fires because of the very high voltages 
(especially on the old 73kHz band)  which often make conventional 
insulators into conductors, for example the plastic guttering on my 
conservatory. I even had a piece of perspex catch fire very 
spectacularly - and that had been salvaged from a commercial QRO LF 
station. It's probably corona discharge that starts the breakdown of 
the material.

I believe the first to have a really good fire was Dave Pick, G3YXM, 
whose coil shed was destroyed some years ago.

As for my 'fire' yesterday, I can't find any evidence of it this 
morning, so I presume the people next door had a bonfire or a kitchen 
accident. A false alarn, but well worth being cautious.

Mike
====