RE: [TowerTalk] Grounding control cable/Rotator control box

[Joe - WDØM <WD0M@centurytel.net>]

As a contributor, and being a least one of the guys who mentions Polyphaser 
from time-to-time, please know that I do NOT use their products - I use ICE 
products instead.  The Polyphaser web site is  simply a good source (among 
others) for information.

Since you ask about how to do something, then don't want responders to 
mention specific manufacturers, I'm not sure how I would otherwise be able 
to satisfy your request for information other than say - go look it up on 
the web....and that wouldn't be too helpful.  Nonetheless, I will provide 
you some information in hopes of trying to satisfy your desire to ground 
your control cables, but it will be necessary to mention a brand name - 
please feel free to search for equivalents - at least it's a departure point.

Take a look at the ICE web site and you'll find a great little device that 
works fine on grounding rotor and other cables - I use them for my SteppIR 
control cable as well. The model number is 348.   Array Solutions sells 
them....Jay WXØB, will be happy help you out.  And, as a disclaimer, I do 
not have any connection to any of the companies I've mentioned, other than 
a satisfied consumer.

Hope this helps.

73
Joe
WDØM


At 12:14 PM 9/13/2004, Noel wrote:
> Thanks to everyone who has responded to my query about grounding my
> control cable/rotator control unit.  But at the risk of sounding
> unappreciative of all the good advice I've gotten here on Towertalk. I
> feel it necessary to mention my dislike with what seems like constant
> pushing of one device or another when someone asks for information.
>
> Based on the responses it would appear that some don't even read the
> message and assume you're looking to purchase whatever they happen to be
> peddling. I'm really not interested in purchasing a polyphazer or
> monophazer or whatever other device.  If I were I'd ask for it.  It's
> great when people tell you what works for them under like circumstances.
> But too often it seems the responses are geared toward selling you this
> or that, even when it may not be what you're looking for.
>
> I use towertalk for information from other hams regarding all things
> tower related.  I know some on here will have interests in commercial
> products and so it may be natural to lean towards their products.  But,
> personally I'm not interested in the subtle solicitations to purchase
> your products.  I know some will be offended by that but someone had to
> say it.
>
> That said.  My tower is grounded with three #2 stranded copper wires
> from each leg each going to three 8ft copper ground rods spaced 16ft
> apart.  Thanks especially to Roger Halstead's great website on how he
> did his.  Anyway, each rod/wire point is exothermically welded using
> Caldweld oneshots.  The shields of the two coax cables going up the
> tower are each grounded at the base of the tower.  At the shack
> entrance, I've built my own single point ground where my station
> equipment is grounded to other ground rods just outside.    My coax
> cables all connect to a grounded antenna switch, also goes to the SPG,
> so if I disconnect the radio side of the switch my radios are isolated
> from static or possible lightening strike. This method still leaves the
> coax going to the antennas grounded. So I'm not worried about my coax or
> antenna ground.
>
> What is NOT grounded is the control cable going up the tower and neither
> is the control unit itself, a Yaesu G-450XL, since it does not seem to
> have a ground lug for this purpose.  The control cable is a shielded six
> pair cable.  I use two conductors for each rotator connection. And I've
> grounded the shield of the control cable also at the base of the tower,
> but not the conductors themselves.  This is my problem at the moment. As
> the control cable conductors build up static as they have no path to
> ground and go directly to the rotator control box.   Anyone familiar
> with how to resolve this I'd appreciate the advice.
>
> Thanks
> Noel
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> 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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_______________________________________________

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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