Coax Arcing

[mmckenna]

So...there is my start.

It's a start.

The new ground rod must be bonded to the existing condo ground rod. That's in the NEC. You don't want a different ground rod for your antenna, and a different one for the condo electrical. That can actually make things worse.

 

[merlin]

This is the mast I am using. It is mounted to the side of my home.

You should run a length of #10 solid copper wire from one of the 4 mounting bolts to the closest point of service ground.
Then, where the coax enters the house, install a lightning arrestor and tye to the same ground.
And by all means, disconnect the coax to all radios, best place for that is the lightning arrestor.
Ben Franklin proved it doesn't take a direct strike to have a powerful voltage at nearby strikes.

 

[techman210]

A discone is not a DC shunt grounded antenna. So what you are hearing and seeing is normal.

It’s just picking up electrostatic energy from the environment. 10,000 volts can jump an inch.

Just put a short across the coax conductors and the problem is solved when you bring them to the same potential. For extra entertainment value, get an old neon bulb and place that across the same points.

 

[wtp]

i live in Florida and have no antennas outside FOR this reason.
will the discone fir in the attic ?

 

[HOGMOA]

i live in Florida and have no antennas outside FOR this reason.
will the discone fir in the attic ?

Probably would fit....but...I have a steel roof.

 

[HOGMOA]

A discone is not a DC shunt grounded antenna. So what you are hearing and seeing is normal.

It’s just picking up electrostatic energy from the environment. 10,000 volts can jump an inch.

Just put a short across the coax conductors and the problem is solved when you bring them to the same potential. For extra entertainment value, get an old neon bulb and place that across the same points.

Thanks, Now...I need a bit of definitions. What is a DC Shunt Grouded Antenna. You also mention a short across coax conductors. What does that mean. Thanks again.

 

[mmckenna]

Just put a short across the coax conductors and the problem is solved when you bring them to the same potential. For extra entertainment value, get an old neon bulb and place that across the same points.

That's not necessarily going to help unless the coax shield is grounded somewhere. The static electricity will still be there and may just fine another path to ground.

 

[dlwtrunked]

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.

Most scientist consider consider lightening static electricity as its physics origin is the same There is of course issues of voltage and current. And I think that is your point that the levels in lightening are such that some of the protection for lower levels will not work against them. But the glass jar "protection" is a good laugh. I do laugh at those who take action when they hear a close BOOM. That is not the time one wants to go about fiddling with one's coax connections as your live is more important than your equipment. If one wants to do that (rather than using valid lightening protection like mmckenna suggests), you need a lightening detector with alarm and even that is not foolproof as the first strike near you might be your antenna (though not a high probability).

A site of related interest:

Real Time Lightning Map

See lightning strikes in real time across the planet. Free access to maps of former thunderstorms. By Blitzortung.org and contributors.

www.lightningmaps.org

PS. I quit making 100 kV arcs in my living room using a Marx generator after having them jump nail to nail to find my foot.

 

[KC3ECJ]

I typically use a grounding block with a screw on arrestor on the outside end of the coax with a grounding wire going to the house's main ground.
On the inside end of the coax, a plug in power strip cable TV surge protector.

 

[HOGMOA]

Wish I could take this down. Not going to do this project as I cannot ground it properly. Not worth the risks.

 

[mmckenna]

Wish I could take this down. Not going to do this project as I cannot ground it properly. Not worth the risks.

Move the antenna indoors. Not ideal, but it'll give you something.