Grounding an indoor antenna???

[DracosIgnis]

Greetings-

I just purchased a Diamond Discone antenna. I live in a second floor apartment, and have placed the antenna in a closet with a window about 3 feet way. (Yes, a window in a closet, but hey I didn’t build the place…)

Reception is awesome!

The antenna mast in made from a piece of 1” PVC mounted to the wall.

In case it matters, I’ve got LMR-400 (about a 25’ jumper) to the scanner.

My question: Should I ground the antenna?? I’ve heard of lightening coming through windows and striking objects and living in Texas I have seen my fair share of good lightening storms, and really don’t feel like “remodeling” the apartment. Maybe add a lightening arrestor (but from what I have read they belong outside)? Am I paranoid and should just leave it as is?

Any suggestions or comments??

Mike

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi Mike and all,

"Am I paranoid and should just leave it as is?"

Yes to both. If lightning should come in through the window it will ignore the antenna and hit you or the cat, maybe both if it feels so inclined. Actually it's METEORS you should worry about, they find the antenna every time.

Seriously, unless you put a lightning rod on the roof and forget to ground it you have nothing to worry about. There's nothing unusual about Texas lightning besides the thunder, "Yeee haaaaa, BOOM y'all!".

BTW, you're not the only one with a window in a closet. I once had a big one with folding doors, ran the cables in through the window, removed the closet pole, put a long table in there and had a disappearing ham shack.

 

[mredding]

An easy way I've seen such assemblies grounded is running a decent gauge ground wire to the ground connection on the backside of an electrical outlet. If there's one close by (heck, there's a window in the closet) then why not.