Jeffrey
>Yes, but my temperature probe reading of 58F (at the top center of the
>hive)
>when the outside air temperature is 5F

Sounds like the reason some probes might show ~ ambient temp close to
cluster is that there may be a "chimney" on the top of the cluster where a
warm air current emits and goes to the top. I mean  there has to be some
current seeing as how the cluster insulation is imperfect - also metabolism
must have some airflow.
It would also be an educated guess(in light of 58 deg at top-close to 
ambient elsewhere) that radiation
would be a very small part of the heat loss equation.

John Horton
N Alabama

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