Coax Arcing

[HOGMOA]

During Thunderstorms, I disconnect my Disc Cone Antenna from the scanner. When it was disconnected, I kept hearing a pop similar to the sound heard by a spark plug arc. What can I do to make sure that my kids/me and other things are not in danger from this. (I put the connector down in a glass jar. Not sure if this was a good thing...But I did it)

 

[jazzboypro]

You mean that the sound comes from the coax ?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Is the antenna properly grounded?

 

[nd5y]

What can I do to make sure that my kids/me and other things are not in danger from this. (I put the connector down in a glass jar. Not sure if this was a good thing...But I did it)

The coax or antenn are not grounded properly. The glass jar thing is a stupid CB myth. What do you think will happen if the voltage builds up high enough to arc through or around the glass?

 

[mmckenna]

Static electricity, likely. Good thing it's not connected to your radio.

This is why proper grounding is important.

 

[HOGMOA]

You mean that the sound comes from the coax ?

It's coming from the BNC connection.

 

[HOGMOA]

The coax or antenn are not grounded properly. The glass jar thing is a stupid CB myth. What do you think will happen if the voltage builds up high enough to arc through or around the glass?

Well, thought it was a good thing. Not meant to be considered stupid.

 

[jazzboypro]

It's coming from the BNC connection.

As others have said, proper grounding would help and maybe add a lightning arrestor where the coax enters your house.

 

[mmckenna]

Ok...please advise what I should do to properly ground it. Thank you.

National Electric Code addresses this.

https://www.mikeholt.com/instructor2/img/product/pdf/17LED-1498-sample.pdf

But it isn't a guaranteed fool proof solution.

 

[mmckenna]

Well, thought it was a good thing. Not meant to be considered stupid.

Not stupid, but it is a common myth repeated through the hobby. Static electricity is one concern, direct and even nearby lightning strikes is another. A glass jar will not protect.

If it's your only option, the best bet is to chuck the coax entirely out of the house. That can reduce risk, but will do nothing to protect you, your home, your radio if you aren't home to do it.

 

[KevinC]

And as we all know, proper "bonding" is what needs to be done.

 

[HOGMOA]

This is the mast I am using. It is mounted to the side of my home. The ground surface for 10' from the Condo is Asphalt and the house surface is wood. So, my question is, how do I ground it safely without having a wire which might not have (as I am not a radio tech) enough insulation to prevent arcing through the insulation and causing a fire in the wood. Ideas please. Just want things Safe. I have a 50' Coax to the back of the scanner and don't want to cut that if at all possible.

 

[HOGMOA]

Not stupid, but it is a common myth repeated through the hobby. Static electricity is one concern, direct and even nearby lightning strikes is another. A glass jar will not protect.

If it's your only option, the best bet is to chuck the coax entirely out of the house. That can reduce risk, but will do nothing to protect you, your home, your radio if you aren't home to do it.

The Coax is routed through the wall. Damn this is concerning.

 

[HOGMOA]

And as we all know, proper "bonding" is what needs to be done.

Well...we all don't know. Please explain bonding.

 

[mmckenna]

The Coax is routed through the wall. Damn this is concerning.

It should be. That means you are paying attention.

 

[mmckenna]

This is the mast I am using. It is mounted to the side of my home. The ground surface for 10' from the Condo is Asphalt and the house surface is wood. So, my question is, how do I ground it safely without having a wire which might not have (as I am not a radio tech) enough insulation to prevent arcing through the insulation and causing a fire in the wood. Ideas please. Just want things Safe. I have a 50' Coax to the back of the scanner and don't want to cut that if at all possible.

Being in a condo complicates the issue.
A professional/licensed/bonded electrician is the answer. And yes, that costs money.

The PDF I linked to covers it all. Well, "all" in the sense of meeting NEC. Read through that and ask your questions.

 

[HOGMOA]

Being in a condo complicates the issue.
A professional/licensed/bonded electrician is the answer. And yes, that costs money.

The PDF I linked to covers it all. Well, "all" in the sense of meeting NEC. Read through that and ask your questions.

Thanks so much.

 

[mmckenna]

Thanks so much.

If you look at the top right of page 141 of the PDF, it describes exactly what you are experiencing.

 

[KevinC]

Well...we all don't know. Please explain bonding.

It's in the document @mmckenna linked.

 

[HOGMOA]

Thanks,
I contacted a buddy who is a Licensed Electrician and one thing he said was to get rid of the steel extensions I was using and use schedule 80 PVC for the 6' mast. He then said get a surge protector and attach a bare copper wire to a copper grounding post driven into the ground. So...there is my start.