RF Bonding Question

[jcrmadden]

As I understand it RF rides on the outside of conductive materials, and not through.

Wouldn't the inclusion of heat shrink on the outside of bonding straps reduce the available surface area and limit their effectiveness?

Heat shrink definitely makes for a more professional looking install.

There's also some merit with regard to limiting exposure to the elements.

In areas where bonding straps are neither visible nor exposed is heat shrink really necessary?

 

[nd5y]

As I understand it RF rides on the outside of conductive materials, and not through.

Correct. It's known as skin effect.

Wouldn't the inclusion of heat shrink on the outside of bonding straps reduce the available surface area and limit their effectiveness?

No, because shrink tubing and other insulators are noncunductive.
Depending on the dielectric constant and thickness of the material it could vary the electrical length of antenna elements but for grounding and bonding that should not be an issue.

 

[merlin]

Heatshrink is a dilectric and has no effect. At least until you get into many GHz.

 

[merlin]

In areas where bonding straps are neither visible nor exposed is heat shrink really necessary

No.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I was approached by our Project Manager about a grounding problem on a tower next to a fire station.

The "ground window" a large rectangular copper plate where feedline RF lightning protectors and various ground bonds converge, was to be located two stories above the sidewalk and thus four large copper straps (solid copper sheet in a roll) needed to be provided across the width of the plate and extended to the ground rod system below. However, there were vent grills to either side of the wall below. So I recommended doubling up the straps so that there were two pairs taking up half the width and to maximize skin effect, a Lexan plastic separator was used and was secured by nylon bolts to form a copper-plastic-copper sandwich. We had no lightning problems with that solution.

 

[slowmover]

Spent several days building several lengths, and of 8-AWG DC Grounds to accompany the RF Bonds in locations conducive (ha-ha) to “return”.


Taped ends (TESA harness tape) was that fastener, washers, etc already mounted to reduce exertion while laying under vehicle. Drill, grind, mount and “paint”. Done

Heat shrink sounds better for some situations.
I’ve used Liquid Tape at ends on several big truck installs (after crimping).

Hydraulic crimper became one of my favorite install tools quick.



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[prcguy]

Spent several days building several lengths, and of 8-AWG DC Grounds to accompany the RF Bonds in locations conducive (ha-ha) to “return”.

View attachment 166585
Taped ends (TESA harness tape) was that fastener, washers, etc already mounted to reduce exertion while laying under vehicle. Drill, grind, mount and “paint”. Done

Heat shrink sounds better for some situations.

Hydraulic crimper became one of my favorite install tools quick.

.

I have the same crimper, it rocks!

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Hmm; I wonder how much bonding I will need for my new to me Ford Expy when I install the Low Band Syntor X9000? I am going to make a gadget with a low voltage light bulb and some magnetic test leads to bridge doors, hood and rear hatch to see if they are hot.

 

[slowmover]

Hmm; I wonder how much bonding I will need for my new to me Ford Expy when I install the Low Band Syntor X9000? I am going to make a gadget with a low voltage light bulb and some magnetic test leads to bridge doors, hood and rear hatch to see if they are hot.

Arguments appear to favor “least”. But that means you have to have the right pieces bonded.

My take, FWIW, is that it’s a matter of horizontal, first, and vertical as catch can. Keep checking noise level after major pieces done to eliminate “wasted” effort. Why I incorporated 12VDC was to not worry over the above and look to get the odd pieces also (bumpers, hitch receiver, etc) as I’m not aware of a method for testing in advance.

@prcguy “advancing/receding waterfall” idea (from antenna base outwards) bonding top surface sheet makes sense once I rustle up the nerve to try it. A-pillar to hood & front door junction looks promising. As does back-of-cab to interior walls of pickup bed. Now I’m interested in prediction more than before.

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