Ground CB Antenna

[alvine]

How do you ground a CB antenna that sets on top of your house? I have anttron a99. I have it on a 15 foot pole and the pole sets on my roof. I need to know how i can ground it in case lightning hits it. I do not want my house to catch fire. I got a lightning arrestor to go in between my coax and antenna. It has a screw on the side for the ground wire. Can anyone give me step by step instructions on how to do it. I know the ground wire goes to the arrestor, But i am not sure i should let the ground wire touch the antenna pole or not. And i am not sure to let the ground wire touch the roof. I can always replace a antenna , but not my house. I just want to make sure i do it right. Any help i could get.

[gewecke]

Originally Posted by alvine

How do you ground a CB antenna that sets on top of your house? I have anttron a99. I have it on a 15 foot pole and the pole sets on my roof. I need to know how i can ground it in case lightning hits it. I do not want my house to catch fire. I got a lightning arrestor to go in between my coax and antenna. It has a screw on the side for the ground wire. Can anyone give me step by step instructions on how to do it. I know the ground wire goes to the arrestor, But i am not sure i should let the ground wire touch the antenna pole or not. And i am not sure to let the ground wire touch the roof. I can always replace a antenna , but not my house. I just want to make sure i do it right. Any help i could get.

Obtain 10awg. or even 8awg.solid copper wire and connect to the screw on your lightning arrestor,route the copper ground line in the shortest route available using twin-lead standoffs about every 7-10" apart to separate the copper line from the roof line and side of the structure to a ground rod(copper) approx. 10" away from the foundation of the house.Using a commercial 8' copper ground rod. Also when connecting to the arrestor,DO NOT use a solderless terminal to connect the copper line! Fashion a "U" on the end and attach direct to this screw. If you want to be very thorough,then attach a second ground using a steel or copper clamp to the mast pipe to the same ground rod routing it in the same manner. You might also bury the line at the bottom going to the ground rod from the house so trimming could be done. Only 4-5" need to be above the ground as your copper line will connect to this rod.
However,even with an adequate ground system to your antenna,ALWAYS disconnecting your feedline from your equipment during stormy weather IS your best safeguard! Hope this helps.
Good luck!
N9ZAS.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by gewecke

Obtain 10awg. or even 8awg.solid copper wire and connect to the screw on your lightning arrestor,route the copper ground line in the shortest route available using twin-lead standoffs about every 7-10" apart to separate the copper line from the roof line and side of the structure to a ground rod(copper) approx. 10" away from the foundation of the house.Using a commercial 8' copper ground rod. Also when connecting to the arrestor,DO NOT use a solderless terminal to connect the copper line! Fashion a "U" on the end and attach direct to this screw. If you want to be very thorough,then attach a second ground using a steel or copper clamp to the mast pipe to the same ground rod routing it in the same manner. You might also bury the line at the bottom going to the ground rod from the house so trimming could be done. Only 4-5" need to be above the ground as your copper line will connect to this rod.
However,even with an adequate ground system to your antenna,ALWAYS disconnecting your feedline from your equipment during stormy weather IS your best safeguard! Hope this helps.
Good luck!
N9ZAS.

You were right.

I am surprised at what you can "teach".

Now, go back and check NEC.

Rather than recommend any one in particular, I would suggest that anyone asking how to PROPERLY ground an antenna do a search here. There are many good threads that bring up most of the important issues. If you read a few it will become obvious which are most complete.

[gewecke]

Every time I refer people to read the threads here,relating to their problems...they return with even MORE questions!lol Soooo....I help,if I can. If not,I tried.
N9ZAS

[va3hub]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

You were right.

I am surprised at what you can "teach".

Now, go back and check NEC.

Rather than recommend any one in particular, I would suggest that anyone asking how to PROPERLY ground an antenna do a search here. There are many good threads that bring up most of the important issues. If you read a few it will become obvious which are most complete.

Excuse my ignorance N_Jay, but what is NEC ?

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by va3hub

Excuse my ignorance N_Jay, but what is NEC ?

National Electrical Code.

The nice thing about "ignorance" is it can be fixed with a question and an answer.

Stupidity is forever.

[nd5y]

Do NOT confuse NEC with NEC

[va3hub]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

National Electrical Code.

The nice thing about "ignorance" is it can be fixed with a question and an answer.

Stupidity is forever.

lol,,,,,thanks

[gewecke]

My dog ate my NEC code book!lol
N9ZAS.

[alvine]

I am new to this group. The only IGNORANCE here is when someone thinks they know everything. And STUPIDITY is someone who calls someone else that. Must be a legend in his own mind.

The nice thing about "ignorance" is it can be fixed with a question and an answer.

Stupidity is forever.[/QUOTE]

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by alvine

I am new to this group. The only IGNORANCE here is when someone thinks they know everything. And STUPIDITY is someone who calls someone else that. Must be a legend in his own mind.

I would suggest checking a dictionary, but we are getting off-topic.

ignorance - OneLook Dictionary Search
stupidity - OneLook Dictionary Search

[JayMojave]

Hello Alvine:

Connect the ground wire (12 or 10 gage stranded) to the base of the mast. Then connect it to the Lightening arrestor, that should be mounted to the Ground Rod.

Disconnect the Coax during Lightening Storms. This removes the path from the antenna into the house. Even with a Lightening arrestor. A direct hit not too much will survive but this will allow the majority of the close by strike energy to be directed to ground.

Jay in the Mojave

Originally Posted by alvine

How do you ground a CB antenna that sets on top of your house? I have anttron a99. I have it on a 15 foot pole and the pole sets on my roof. I need to know how i can ground it in case lightning hits it. I do not want my house to catch fire. I got a lightning arrestor to go in between my coax and antenna. It has a screw on the side for the ground wire. Can anyone give me step by step instructions on how to do it. I know the ground wire goes to the arrestor, But i am not sure i should let the ground wire touch the antenna pole or not. And i am not sure to let the ground wire touch the roof. I can always replace a antenna , but not my house. I just want to make sure i do it right. Any help i could get.

[N_Jay]

12 gage is unacceptabe.

Multiple ground rods on the same building MUST be bonded together per NEC and most electrical codes.

Not doing so, can cause significant voltage differences and actually increase the likelihood of equipment damage and unsafe conditions from nearby lightening strikes, ground faults, and ground failures.

There are LOTS of good sources of information on the topic of PROPER grounding of radio and electronic equipment.

Please take the time to do some research.

grounding antenna NEC - Google Search

http://lightning-protection-institut...-checklist.htm

http://www.lightningsafety.com/

[va3hub]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

12 gage is unacceptabe.

Multiple ground rods on the same building MUST be bonded together per NEC and most electrical codes.

Not doing so, can cause significant voltage differences and actually increase the likelihood of equipment damage and unsafe conditions from nearby lightening strikes, ground faults, and ground failures.

There are LOTS of good sources of information on the topic of PROPER grounding of radio and electronic equipment.

Please take the time to do some research.

grounding antenna NEC - Google Search

Lightning Protection Guide Checklist for Risk Management

National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI) Home Page. We provide expert training, consulting, education, videos, and witness service on structural lightning safety. We also promote proactive defenses to mitigate the effects of lightning hazards.

Your probable right N_JAY, but............nobody likes a know it all.
Isn't there a section in the NEC book under section eight about just that ? If not there should be.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by va3hub

Your probable right N_JAY, but............nobody likes a know it all.

Although we are off-topic, I would like to point out that I do not consider my self a "Know-it-all", although many seem to do so in a derogatory manner.

It would seem to me, that the ONLY way ANYONE could call another a "Know-it-all", is be making the BAD ASSUMPTION that they themselves KNOW MORE than the person they are accusing of being a "Know-it-all"!

Notice how many people in this thread acted as "Know-it-alls" by providing their (assumed) answer written as if it is FACT, not providing a source nor providing links for the reader to learn more and confirm the information provided.

Originally Posted by va3hub

Isn't there a section in the NEC book under section eight about just that ? If not there should be.

Why? That is covered under common sense code, not electrical code (unless you KNOW otherwise)!

RANT OFF!

[va3hub]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

Although we are off-topic, I would like to point out that I do not consider my self a "Know-it-all", although many seem to do so in a derogatory manner.

It would seem to me, that the ONLY way ANYONE could call another a "Know-it-all", is be making the BAD ASSUMPTION that they themselves KNOW MORE than the person they are accusing of being a "Know-it-all"!

Notice how many people in this thread acted as "Know-it-alls" by providing their (assumed) answer written as if it is FACT, not providing a source nor providing links for the reader to learn more and confirm the information provided.


Why? That is covered under common sense code, not electrical code (unless you KNOW otherwise)!

RANT OFF!

Your off topic..................again.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by va3hub

Your off topic..................again.

No more than you, sir!

Back to grounding.

The 10 Worst Grounding Mistakes You'll Ever Make
Grounding antenna mast and antenna discharge unit

[va3hub]

Originally Posted by alvine

How do you ground a CB antenna that sets on top of your house? I have anttron a99. I have it on a 15 foot pole and the pole sets on my roof. I need to know how i can ground it in case lightning hits it. I do not want my house to catch fire. I got a lightning arrestor to go in between my coax and antenna. It has a screw on the side for the ground wire. Can anyone give me step by step instructions on how to do it. I know the ground wire goes to the arrestor, But i am not sure i should let the ground wire touch the antenna pole or not. And i am not sure to let the ground wire touch the roof. I can always replace a antenna , but not my house. I just want to make sure i do it right. Any help i could get.

I also have a a99 antenna that i will be putting up in September alvine ! it will be going up on a 40 feet tower.
They tell me its a good antenna,i cant wait to put it up and try it out on my Galaxy 949.
I hope you have enough info for your ground problem....lol.

[JayMojave]

Hello N_Jay:

I will help you out here seems your going a little over board.

12 Gauge wire is most acceptable, remember we are talking about a single mast type cb / amateur antenna installation here not a five star gold plated commercial tower installation.

You simply do not need multiple ground rods. NEC Code, SMOOD who cares! How many CB'ers and Hams have multiple ground rods with their tower installations. Not too many! The NEC Code is for Commercial use, its a little over done for political reasons.

Not installing multiple ground rods will attaract lightening? No, get real. Have any measured data on any of that?

I have seen many antenna installations with just a light gauge wire grounded the mast to just sprinkler pipes. You want to ground the antenna for noise reasons and offer some protection to near by lightening strikes. A direct lightening strike will do significant damage, it won’t matter if you have a Battle Ship buried for a ground attached by 2" x 4" Copper Bar Stock.

Jay in the Mojave

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Originally Posted by N_Jay

12 gage is unacceptabe.

Multiple ground rods on the same building MUST be bonded together per NEC and most electrical codes.

Not doing so, can cause significant voltage differences and actually increase the likelihood of equipment damage and unsafe conditions from nearby lightening strikes, ground faults, and ground failures.

There are LOTS of good sources of information on the topic of PROPER grounding of radio and electronic equipment.

Please take the time to do some research.

grounding antenna NEC - Google Search

Lightning Protection Guide Checklist for Risk Management

National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI) Home Page. We provide expert training, consulting, education, videos, and witness service on structural lightning safety. We also promote proactive defenses to mitigate the effects of lightning hazards.

[gewecke]

I thought we covered this subject already?
Can't we all just GET ALONG?