How should I attach the Aluminum Grounding Wire ?

[daysand]

How should I attach the Aluminum Grounding Wire on to my Radio Shack,
Outdoor Scanner Antenna?
I know Grounding Wire attached to the Grounding Rod is for Lighting Protection.

I was going to put the Grounding Wire between the Antenna's Base Plate the Mast and Just then tighten the U bolt.

Is there any other way I should do this?

Also does the Aluminum Grounding Wire improve the Reception?

 

[Voyager]

How should I attach the Aluminum Grounding Wire on to my Radio Shack,
Outdoor Scanner Antenna?
I know Grounding Wire attached to the Grounding Rod is for Lighting Protection.

I was going to put the Grounding Wire between the Antenna's Base Plate the Mast and Just then tighten the U bolt.

Is there any other way I should do this?

Also does the Aluminum Grounding Wire improve the Reception?

First, I would use copper wire, not aluminum. But, it may improve the reception, but it shouldn't be enough to really see any difference. Your grounding method for the antenna seems ok. At the base, attach it to an 8' ground rod with the typical clamp used for ground wires. You should see them on your electric, phone, and cable feeds as well.

Joe M.

 

[Pro-95]

First, I would use copper wire, not aluminum.

Hmm, I wonder why RS only sells "ground wire" in aluminium over copper???? Cost?

Although the ground rods are copper.

Some hints on the grounding that I learned here. Keep the ground run as straight as possible. Electricity doesn't like to change direction and if given the choice will continue straight. The full mast should be grounded. Anywhere that you have joints in your mast the ground should be bonded (soldered,welded etc) to the mast before and after the joint. The ground should follow your masting all the way down to the base and this includes the tripod if you are using one.

For lightening protection in the simplist sense you should have your coax follow the ground down until the coax enters into your structure. There at the last possible point have your coax take as dramatic of a 90* turn as possible (without kinking) followed by 3-5 tight (5") loops in the coax just before entering the structure. This is to convence the electricity to follow your ground rather than enter into the structure and down to your radio(s) and you. :shock:

As an added precaution and just before your connection to the radio(s) you should ground again the coax to your house ground then a short lead to your radio(s).