[TenTec] Station and AC Ground

[Robert & Linda McGraw K4TAX]

Any attempt to provide ground for lightning protection MUST be outside of 
the structure.  No exceptions unless you want a visit from the local fire 
department.  In which case, they may be able to save the lot.

As to RF ground, it usually is located at the base or common point of the 
radiating system.  Example:  vertical, or end fed wire or other unbalanced 
antenna configurations.  Balanced feed and coax fed antennas {beams} do not 
require any form of RF ground.  Trying to ground the station for RF is 
typically futile due to the length and inductance of the conductor used for 
grounding.

73
Bob, K4TAX

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Hoffman" <ghoffman at spacetech.com>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 3:37 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Station and AC Ground


> >
>> The first (RF) is somewhat hopeless, as was pointed out, because a
>> real (broadband) RF ground has to be very short, say not more than
>> 1/10 wavelength, to avoid reactive and resonant effects.  That means
>> shorter than 1 meter for 10 meter operations, etc.  That's not
>> practical in most installations.  You don't really need a "true" RF
>> ground, if your antenna system is balanced properly - no common mode
>> RF on the feed lines, etc.
>>
>
> Or....a half wave ground wire, to repeat the low impedance at earth right 
> at
> the radio.
>
> And, since lightning is RF, I feel that a real RF ground is important, 
> even
> for lightning.
>
> 73 de Gary, AA2IZ
>
>
>
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