Re: LF: Re: North Carolina Ice Strom / HBG plotting on hold

["Rik Strobbe" <rik.strobbe@fys.kuleuven.ac.be>]

>    
> Removing Sleet from Antenna.--One of the most interesting features of the
> station is the method by which sleet, that might form on the 25 miles of
> aerial wire in each aerial, is removed. With an antenna of such
> magnitude, the question of sleet on the wires is serious. This is taken
> care of by passing a current of 250 amperes at 1,500 volts through the
> antenna wires. Sufficient heat is generated to melt even the most severe
> ice formations on the wires in ten minutes. Small high-capacity
> condensers are connected in series with the antenna and tuning coils, to
> prevent the heat producing current from becoming grounded. The condensers
> have sufficient resistance to the 60 cycle current used for the above
> purpose, but readily allow the high-frequency current of the transmitter
> to pass through.

Maybe efficient, but for sure it is expensive : 250 ampere x 1500 volt x
0.17 hour = 63750 kWh
Don't know what a kWh costs in the US, but here it is about 0.1 Euro
(same in $). So getting rid of the ice costs well over 6000 Euro (or
$).

73, Rik  ON7YD