Grounding Scanner Antenna

[digiman5060]

Do you have to ground your scanner antenna if its not high in the air approx. 25ft and if not grounded can it produce static noise in portable radios Am/FM in the house, The scanners do not have any static

 

[mmckenna]

Do you have to ground your scanner antenna if its not high in the air approx. 25ft and if not grounded can it produce static noise in portable radios Am/FM in the house, The scanners do not have any static

Yes. National Electric Code requires it, as well as lightning suppressor on the coaxial cable.

It's not just a direct lightning strike that's the problem. Even a nearby lightning strike can induce enough energy into the antenna and feed line to be dangerous.

As for the static on your other AM/FM radios, probably unlikely.

 

[richwig]

And if you install a ground rod for the antenna mast, that rod MUST be connected (bonded) to the ground system for your electric service. If you don't, you might someday find ashes where your scanner used to be.

Mike Holt article on antennas