[Moon-net] Icing of yagies

[Edward Cole]

At 03:42 PM 12/20/2007, Kjell Jarl wrote:
>Hi,
>During the current weather, 0 - -2 C and RH of 100 %, it is foggy and I
>have ice/frost on my 144 MHz antennas (very detuned), as all trees
>around here from a couple of metres up. Wind is 0-2 m/s.
>
>What are the experiences of how to prevent the build up of ice/frost or
>remove it?
>
>Chemicals? How to apply them, without taking them to ground?
>
>Heat wire in or under the booms?
>
>The antennas are in a fixed tower, and not easily accessible. The
>elements are of aluminium.
>
>Would it even be worth testing with infra red heating from the tower?
>
>Any suggestions are welcome, searches on the web show just using heat
>(directly attached, via airflow...).
>
>
>73
>Kjell
>

Kjell,

NO help to offer, but I make this observation:
My M2 2m-xpol-20 experience frost and snow coating often up here in 
Alaska and almost never see any effect on tuning (SWR).  I believe 
this is due to the antennas broad band width design (good 144.0 to 
145.9 MHz).  I keep finding reasons to be happy with my choice of 
these antennas!

Snow and frost coatings do not persist long, usually dissipating with 
a slight breeze or sunlight.  The frosted trees hold the frost much 
longer often for days/week.  My original 1999 QSL shows the array in 
such a frost coating- pretty against the blue sky!


73,
Ed - KL7UW
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