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Linx
New member
Username: Linx
Post Number: 5
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 12:47 pm: | 
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Hi,
I have been reading on grounding so long I can't see strait. I have a couple of basic questions, just for reassurance.
I am looking to get a Imax 2000 and I have a new shiney 40 ft tower I am errecting.
I want to be sure no lightning runs in and gets my house. I am of course worried about my radio and equipment, but that is not as important as my house, and the occupants. So I am looking for some re-assurance in the grounding system I have in plans.
I WAS looking to do a single 8' copper grounding rod for the tower and not worry about the Coax. After reading some horror stories I am planning on installing a simple/basic Polyphaser unless it creats a problem with running the radio at high power. For the Polyphaser I will install it's own grounding rod.
Will this keep the lightning out of the house and keep the house out of danger?
I have also read about putting 1 grounding rod per leg of the tower, and then connecting those grounding rods with copper. I may even do this, but if a single grounding rod is sufficent, then that's what we're going to do.
I don't plan on grounding the radio's like others have b/c I live in a new house and don't plan on putting any holes in my walls to run outside. Maybe I'll think ahead in my next house, but for now I'll make due.
I plan on unplugging the equipment from the coax every night and anytime there is going to be severe weather, but accidents will occur and I know flash storms will happen.
What should I do about the end of coax in the house if it's not connected to the radio? I saw something about putting in a glass jar, but I'm not sure what that's all about.
I know this has all been covered, and I assure you I have been studying and reading non stop on it all, but I just wanted some answers directed at me.
Thanks.
73, Rob, Linx. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1836
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 5:13 pm: |
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Hey Rob, Welcome to Copper. Sounds like you have a good idea what you doing. I'll offer some of my own info.
CAUTION Do not put your coax end into a glass jar during a storm. It is a cb myth and it is very possible that the jar will shatter during a strike causing injury to anyone near it.
The POLYPHASER is tried and true and will protect your radios and gear from a lightning strike. Some experts say you can even talk on the radio during a storm, get hit by lightning and not even know it. High power radio/wattage should not matter.
Best way I like to be sure is to get the coax out of the house. Put it out the window during a storm.
Use a ground strap from the antenna mounting bracket down the tower to your ground rod. Unless you are 100 percent positive that the antenna is connected electrically well to the tower just ground the tower to the rod.
The more ground rods you have the better.
We have lots of good info on this subject here at Copper. Do some searches and keep an eye out for posts by Paul/Tech 833. He is our antenna grounding/radio guru. Very knowlegeable and respected fellow CEF member! 73 and I hope you plan to stay with us here at Copper! Have fun.
Kenny
CEF491
Indiana |
Linx
New member
Username: Linx
Post Number: 6
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 8:17 pm: |
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Thanks for the info. I never even thought about running a strap all the way down the tower, but I'll give that a consideration for sure!
The tower is going to be (this week) set in concrete and then strapped to my house at about 15 ft, so you can see my cautiousness. I have read quite a bit, and will continue, but just wanted some assurance that I was going about it the right way.
As of now, I am thinking 3 grounding rods. 1 on each leg of the tower, and the grounding strap running all the way down and connecting with one of my grounding rods.
I'll definatly buy a polyphaser this week when I buy my antenna! (probably tomorrow). I'm going to continue tonight reading about the polyphasers to see how to install them.
I'm a little lost on what to do with the end of coax, b/c I cannot throw it out the window in this particular room.
Thanks for all your input..it's greatly appreciated. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1473
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 12:27 am: |
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If you install a Polyphaser properly, then leave the coax connected to your radio and forget about it. In fact, play around on the air and enjoy the quiet channels while everyone else is hiding in their homes with disconnected coax.
I am working on a diagram to show how to install everything properly. Keep an eye out for it. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2118
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 12:27 am: |
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linx, send an email to Tech 833 (tech833 (at ) copper dt com
his name is paul, and it may take a few days, but he will answer your questions and you can trust his answers. he does this stuff with 100,000 watt stations.
make sure you detail everything that you will be doing, and what you're trying to get away with not doing.
one suggestion from me, do a keyword search for the phrase "single point ground(ing)" and search in the titles of the threads.
good luck,
matt |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1474
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 1:11 am: |
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Linx
New member
Username: Linx
Post Number: 7
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 6:43 am: |
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Thanks a million for the info guys! Like I said, with it being strapped to my house I was a little uneasy, but this helps me out a bunch.
I just wanna protect my family!  |
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