[TenTec] RF Ground

[Jim Brown]

Gary Smith wrote:
> I would need 400' of copper pipe or the 18" wide of copper plate to 
> run from the ground rods at the base of the Inv-L to the service 
> entrance and I'm not going to do that. The cost is not realistic and 
> the salty environment would corrode the copper in no time.
>   
It is a mistake to think "all or nothing" with respect to the 18-inch 
copper or copper pipe. Nothing wrong with those recommendations, but 
something like #10 or #6 copper is FAR better than NOTHING between two 
points that should definitely be bonded. #10 copper can be had at Home 
Depot and Lowe's at reasonable prices.
> I will though look into the Polyphasers and can you suggest a model 
> number of ferrite for the coax? I'd be happy to add that to what I 
> have.
>   
I already have. Download and study the tutorial.
> My habit is to disconnect coax when I leave the house. I was a novice 
> in 79 and just bought a brand new Kenwood for my first radio. My 
> college allowed me to string up a center fed zepp between the tops of 
> two dorms. I left it connected when I went to class, it got hit and 
> my top of the line radio that was all of two weeks old was fried when 
> I came back. Lesson learned to disconnect.
Many authorities consider that a half-way measure that can still cause 
problems. In the case of a strike, there will be massive voltages on 
that disconnected wire, which can arc to something and start a fire. 
Better to ground it properly.  W8JI is quite adamant about this, and I 
can't find any fault with his logic.

73,

Jim Brown K9YC