Antenna grounding ...

[cowboymike1971]

Ok. Heres my deal. I need to ground my antenna. I have my antenna on my roof(single story) its on about 25 ft of mast. Whats the safest yet least complicated way to ground this puppy..??? Copper wire? what gauge? thanks for all/any who reply..

 

[N5RLR]

The best way [I believe] is with a single, continuous copper ground wire [14-to-10 gauge] from the base of the antenna to a copper ground rod at the base, driven 4-to-8 feet into the earth.

You could just ground the mast at the base, but your antenna/antenna system would be seeking ground through any number of joints in the masting, if there is any electrical connection between them. Better to run a ground from antenna to earth, as above.

Make sure that you have tight, clean connections. Weatherproofing connections [antenna and ground] with some sort of sealant is a good idea. A static/lightning arrestor in the feedline would be wise as well.

Good luck!

 

[N_Jay]

The best way [I believe] is with a single, continuous copper ground wire [14-to-10 gauge] from the base of the antenna to a copper ground rod at the base, driven 4-to-8 feet into the earth.

You could just ground the mast at the base, but your antenna/antenna system would be seeking ground through any number of joints in the masting, if there is any electrical connection between them. Better to run a ground from antenna to earth, as above.

Make sure that you have tight, clean connections. Weatherproofing connections [antenna and ground] with some sort of sealant is a good idea. A static/lightning arrestor in the feedline would be wise as well.

Good luck!

All good, but should be #4 or larger.

Check you local building codes, as adding a ground can have other effects.

 

[jim202]

The best way to get your answer is to go look at the National Electrical Code on grounding. There is a part of section 250 that deals with antennas. The bottom line is that it needs to be grounded. It needs to have a wire run from the mast to a ground rod in the earth. The wire size is speled out in section 250. Don't quote me, but I think it is something like a minimum of a # 12 wire.

The antenna section also gives the type of clamps to be used and defines just how sharp of a bend the wire can take. The bottom line is no sharp bends. Use a radius of at least 9 inches and keep the run as short as possible.

You might also want to check with you insurance company to see if they have any guides. They are the ones that will say they will pay or not if any damage occurs.

J

Ok. Heres my deal. I need to ground my antenna. I have my antenna on my roof(single story) its on about 25 ft of mast. Whats the safest yet least complicated way to ground this puppy..??? Copper wire? what gauge? thanks for all/any who reply..