>    Back to the original message, a `rain detector' is simply two probes
> or a PCB with traces in a serpentine pattern.

Yep: mine consisted of a piece of Veroboard with alternate tracks commoned
together.  Detects a drop of rain just fine.  You do have to wait for it to
dry out after the rain has stopped, though, and it also gets affected by
morning dew.

I rather like the funnel/microphone idea.  More direct.

Steve

Steve Thackery
Suffolk, England.
Web Site: http://www.btinternet.com/~stevethack/