Grounding Questions

[Pro-95]

I have a discone antenna. I figure some of the interference/signal loss is due to the cheap cable so I'm switching out the RG-58 for some RG-8. I have a 5' mast on a tripod mount on the roof.

So while I'm up there..... I figure I'd better add some grounding as I put it off for another day, this weekend is that day.

I'm thinking insulated (automotive) 8 guage copper stranded wire with an 8' ground rod.

As far as I can tell the discone antenna itself doesn't need to be grounded so I'm focusing on the mast and lead in cable. Is this correct?

Should I just connect the ground wire to the base of the antenna mast or to the base of the tripod?

On the lead in static discharge I'm figureing on stripping back a little insulation and wire wrap or wire clamp the RG8 to the ground wire as it goes past the entry point on down to the ground rod. Any suggestions on what may be better for this. The only discharge blocks we carry are for RG6/F not PL-259.

TIA

 

[N_Jay]

I have a discone antenna. I figure some of the interference/signal loss is due to the cheap cable so I'm switching out the RG-58 for some RG-8. I have a 5' mast on a tripod mount on the roof.

So while I'm up there..... I figure I'd better add some grounding as I put it off for another day, this weekend is that day.

I'm thinking insulated (automotive) 8 guage copper stranded wire with an 8' ground rod.

As far as I can tell the discone antenna itself doesn't need to be grounded so I'm focusing on the mast and lead in cable. Is this correct?

Should I just connect the ground wire to the base of the antenna mast or to the base of the tripod?

On the lead in static discharge I'm figureing on stripping back a little insulation and wire wrap or wire clamp the RG8 to the ground wire as it goes past the entry point on down to the ground rod. Any suggestions on what may be better for this. The only discharge blocks we carry are for RG6/F not PL-259.

TIA

Are you grounding for litening protection or to reduce noise?

I would get #8 or better solid bare ground wire (it will be cheaper).

I would start the run at the top of the mast and bond (attach electrically) it to the mast and tripod at each joint.

Makes the run as smooth and strait as possible.

Dump the toy lightening arrestor and get a real one that takes an "N" connector.

Put the ground rod directly under where the Coax comes down.

Mount the lightening arrestor there and take the Coax off at a right angle.

Add a few loops in the coax before entering the building.

 

[Pro-95]

Are you grounding for litening protection or to reduce noise?

Yes. Lightening primarily but if noise reduction is a side benefit I'll take it. Again I *SHOULDN'T* ground the discone right?

Dump the toy lightening arrestor and get a real one that takes an "N" connector.

Doesn't electricity follow the path of least resistance? A fancy arrestor is preffered?

Put the ground rod directly under where the Coax comes down.

Sounds good.

Mount the lightening arrestor there and take the Coax off at a right angle.

Ahh now I see.

Add a few loops in the coax before entering the building.

More than a drip hook?

 

[N_Jay]

Again I *SHOULDN'T* ground the discone right??

Mount it as oit is designed to be mounted. Typically the shell of the coax is at ground where it attaches to any antenna.

Dump the toy lightening arrestor and get a real one that takes an "N" connector.

Doesn't electricity follow the path of least resistance? A fancy arrestor is preffered?

Not fgancy, QUALITY!

Mount the lightening arrestor there and take the Coax off at a right angle.

Ahh now I see.

Ligtening hates right angles, most of the energy will continue down the rod.

Add a few loops in the coax before entering the building.

More than a drip hook?

Yes, you are making a small inductor that will raise the impeadance of that path.