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Re: [TowerTalk] Comprehensive Grounding

To: Jim Lux <jimlux@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Comprehensive Grounding
From: Gary Schafer <garyschafer@comcast.net>
Reply-to: garyschafer@comcast.net
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 2005 14:21:24 -0500
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>


Jim Lux wrote:
However, what's really important (at least according to the ap notes) is the system, not just the components. That's where the unbiased advice is needed.


A commercial installation is going to be concerned with revenue, and "keeping it on the air". The owners don't like having to write checks for new equipment to replace the destroyed stuff.

Jim, W6RMK _______________________________________________


You might be surprised. Commercial installations don't like to spend money on lightning protection any more than hams do.
Some (commercial) do the bare minimum and take their chances and replace or repair equipment when they do get hit. They always complain and tell you how "there is nothing that can be done to prevent lightning damage". You know the old tales you have heard for years.


When Polyphaser started, around late 70's, there were few radio installations that paid much attention to installing any type of surge protection equipment. Polyphaser probably did more for the industry on educating people about the importance of proper grounding and surge protection devices than anyone.

Motorola as an example, had some pretty good grounding standards at the time but didn't go far enough and they did not do much for surge protection devices. They have since revised many of their techniques and grounding programs mainly due to polyphaser.

It was a long hard struggle to overcome all the old wives tales about grounding and lightning protection applications. Many still exist. But proper techniques are much more accepted and practiced nowadays.

Polyphaser has a good book that you can buy called "the grounds for lightning and emp protection. Lots of good stuff in there. They tell you how to do some calculations to get you in the ball park on what you have. Yes it is biased toward using their products but there is a lot of good general information on grounding and why you do it a particular way.

73
Gary  K4FMX


_______________________________________________


See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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