I'd let the sides float and isolate the cables. What is the barn roof?
If galvanized steel, then let that float also so you can use it as an
elevated ground plane. For safety you can connect it to DC ground via a
FT240-31 choke, turns as appropriate for the frequency of the antenna.
Also, my EZNEC sims, while ambiguous for large "grounds above earth"
seem to indicate a straight thru ground under the center of the roof has
the least effect on the antenna parameters. The 40' top loaded 80m
vertical I had on a barn was a terrific transmit antenna.
I also had a galvanized roof shed with an extension galvanized roof and
a 2 inch gap (open overlap) between the two. From experience trying to
make a 40m vertical work on that roof, a inter-connecting wire every 24
inches was not enough.
Grant KZ1W
On 8/12/2013 5:22 PM, Hans Hammarquist wrote:
My new shack will be located in the barn next to the main building. They are attached via
a "wood shack". Anyhow, the outside walls on the barn is covered with aluminum
siding. The siding does not appear to be grounded anywhere.
Any suggestion? I am torn between trying to 1) ground all the siding to
grounding rods at each corner (4 corners), 2) connect the siding to the utility
ground or 3) just leave it alone. What do I do where the antenna cables enter?
Should I connect them to the siding or leave a large air-gap between the cables
and the siding?
What I am afraid of is that a lightning strike will cause problems. A
flash-over can happen anywhere between the siding and the interior wires. To
connect the internal wires to the siding everywhere is a job for Hercules.
Anyone with experience with this? Any suggestion?
73 de,
Hans - N2JFS
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|