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[TowerTalk] Shielding of antenna switching/interstation interference

To: TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Shielding of antenna switching/interstation interference
From: Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr@contesting.com>
Reply-to: n4zr@contesting.com
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:38:57 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I am trying to track down a source of inter-station interference between 
my two radios when using them for SO2R contest operation.

My SO2R antenna switching system is located at the tower base.  Two 
TopTen 6-way relay boxes are mounted on an aluminum plate, as well as 6 
minibox-enclosed A/B relays.  The plate is grounded to my tower ground 
by a short, direct #2 copper wire.

The TopTen boxes are bolted to the plate.  The Miniboxes are mounted to 
it with a pair of metal tapping screws each.

I did not use Noalox between any of these enclosures during 
construction.  My question -- can I rely on the bolts and metal tapping 
screws to make a good connection between the shielding boxes and the 
aluminum plate?  In terms of RF shielding, how important is it to have 
the shield boxes well connected to a common ground?  Would it likely be 
worthwhile to disassemble everything and apply Noalox?  Alternatively, 
should I figure out how to run some sort of dedicated grounding 
conductor among the boxes and down to the tower ground?

TIA

-- 
73, Pete N4ZR
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