On several occasions, when driving behind either an ambulance or fire
truck, I have noticed that they typically have several chains hanging
off of their rear axles. I can not, for the life of me, figure out
what the chains must be for and I've become obsessed with finding out
what their use is.Howdy ryanhan-ga,
As a dispatcher for our local volunteer fire department, I know that clear
radio communications is very important. That is the reason that some fire
trucks and ambulances have "drop" or "drag" chains on them.
From the Wilson Antenna web site.
http://www.wilsonantenna.com/generalq.htm
"... I have a high background or static noise in my radio, but when I go
through rain the noise disappears.
...
Radial tires are the source of this problem. In some of the radial tires
used today, a static charge builds up within the tires. Driving on a part
of pavement that is wet causes this static to discharge. The most common
solution is to install a drop chain on the rear axle."
Some people disagree that it does that much good any more, so it might be
from force of habit these days.
This ham radio message base on lists.contesting.com provides some thoughts
on this.
http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/towertalk/2004-March/062805.html
"No, actually the straps did the job of bonding between the car's body/frame
and the ground and really did work until the tire manufacturers learned to
add conductive agents to tire rubber to make them conductive."
If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.
Search strategy: Personal knowledge.
Google search on: car OR truck static radio chain OR strap
://www.google.com/search?q=car+OR+truck+static+radio+chain+OR+strap
Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher#If you have any other info about this subject , Please add it free.# |
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7 January 2009 |
cameltoepants.com |
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