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Message |
    
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 110
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 29, 2005 - 11:56 am: | 
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OK, sorry about this but here goes. When the Maco V-5000 antenna gets here (Still on back order) and I install it, it will be going on the roof mounted on a tripod with 15' mast with guy rope at the 5 and 14' marks.
ANTENNA GROUNDING:
(1) Do I want to run the ground wire from the U-Bolts used to attach the antenna to the mast, then run it down the mast and to the ground rod ???
- OR -
(2) Do I want to scrape the paint off that area, and at the mast connections and again at the Tri-Pod mount area and then run the ground wire from the base of the tri-pod to the ground rod ????
- OR -
(3) Do I have it all wrong and don't need to ground because the cable is at the Polyphasers ???
- OR -
(4) It should be done another way that I am not aware of ???
PLEASE HELP ME
I will be using #4 Strand copper wire that is coated... Unless you recommend something else...
Sorry but still confused on this one part...
Tim
CEF-634 |
Kid_vicious
Advanced Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 716
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 29, 2005 - 10:04 pm: |
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do option #1.
all those connection points in option 2 are potential spots for problems.
definitely option 1 and yes you still need to do it even though you have polyphasers grounded.
the wire is fine (the strap would be better but$$$)
if you hqave enough of it, run two lengths of it from the base of the antenna to the ground rod.
again, do option 1.
dont forget to use the goop.(antioxidizer)
matt
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Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 114
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, September 30, 2005 - 4:25 am: |
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OK - (1) it is.
Yeah, I have read that the strap would be better as it is wider giving a greater surface area which is what the lightening likes to travel. Like you said though - PRICEY - that stuff is more than the LMR-400 was. I will keep looking and eventually get and use a ground strap just right now I have gone over my budget on this little project and if I have to ship that darn KLV back to Copper that won't be cheap.
Thanks for responding.
Tim
CEF-634 |
Tech833
Member
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 95
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 30, 2005 - 9:21 am: |
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Sinker,
The way it is normally done is to install the ground wire to the coax shield at the base of the mast (or tower) and run it to the ground bus or ground rod. Since it is not practical to open the jacket on cable like LMR 400 for ground attachment, I would definitely attach it to the antenna base as close to the coax connector as possible. I would then also bond the same wire to the bottom of the mast. A simple clamp will do. Do not run a seperate wire from the mast base.
The Polyphaser is only supposed to isolate your eauipment from the antenna system, it is not supposed to be the lightning ground for the whole setup. A seperate lightning ground is needed. The Polyphaser only needs to worry about your coax. |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 118
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, September 30, 2005 - 2:27 pm: |
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Thanks Tech833
What was it you said $130.00 an hour - hmmmmmm - heheehe - I appreciate your time and willingness to help out.
Tim
CEF-634 |
Tech833
Member
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 98
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, October 01, 2005 - 9:51 am: |
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$140 per hour minimum. |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 184
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 10:00 am: |
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This grounding stuff is starting to confuse me now. All I did in the past was run a ground wire from the antenna base to a ground rod here in Clearwater, supposedly the lightning capitol. I am starting to get afraid that by giving the antenna/equip all these good grounds that I will be attracting the lightning with least path of resistance?
Wildrat |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1071
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 1:42 pm: |
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No.
You will be saving your equipment by draining off any static buildup which is what attracts lightning to take the path of your equipment. If, by chance, lightning does take the path of your equipment, then having good grounding keeps it out of your house and Polyphasers keep it out of your equipment. |
