VHF/UHF radio and antenna questions

[AK9R]

I have some runs of DX Engineering's 400 Max and it works well for me in VHF/UHF applications.

 

[mmckenna]

Thanks, very good points you're making. Sounds like the old antenna pole would be a safer option, but may require more coax cable as its mounting brackets are on the back of the house. There's no worries about power lines, other buildings, vehicles, etc because of its location.

Being here ten years, lightning isn't as intense as it was in Texas where I used to live, or like Florida, which is probably the worst. But we do get occasional intense storms. We've not had any nearby strikes, it within 100 yards that I can think of. But that doesn't mean it can't never happen.

Yup. Even 100 yards might be too close.
Either way, the National Electric Code requires it, and it's a good idea. A lot of hams/hobbyists don't do it and survive. I've been to FL and TX quite a bit, but still the most violent storm I was ever personally in was in your part of KY.

So I guess I'd need some kind of inline lightning suppressor to keep such strikes from damaging any radio equipment? But also, should the metal pole have some kind of lightning dissipation means? That is, maybe some kind of connection at the bottom of the pole to a grounding rod?

It gets complex, unfortunately, but not impossible.
You'd want a ground rod at the base of the mast. You'd want the mast attached to that rod with a ground conductor and a clamp. You'd want your lightning protection device attached to that same rod with another clamp.
The NEC also requires that the new rod be bonded to the existing home rod. If your mast is right where the existing rod is, then you can use that, you just can't double up conductors on a clamp unless specifically designed for it.

Important that you bond the new ground rod and the existing ground rod together. You absolutely want that to prevent difference in ground potential.

The LMR400 cabling I'm looking at is from DX Engineering. It comes in various lengths, mostly PL-259 connectors. It sounds like I'd need some kind of adapter you're suggesting between the LMR and radio antenna input.

I agree with above, the DX engineering stuff seems to be reputable.

Yes, either order the cable with the correct connectors, or use an adapter, but use a short length of a smaller diameter flexible cable to make that final connection to the radio. That'll save you some headaches down the road.

So regarding the antenna's radiation pattern, are you saying that the longer the antenna, the more depressed the radiation pattern? So maybe the longest antenna wouldn't be the best for my location. Perhaps a middle length one would have a more elevated pattern?

Your mountains there are not like our mountains out here in the west. You'd be fine with a high gain antenna. My point was that it may not be needed. Since VHF/UHF tend to be line of sight, reaching repeaters usually doesn't require high power and high gain antennas. A medium sized antenna may work just fine, and be easier to install.

But the hobby is about experimenting and learning, so try something, you can always change it later.