[TowerTalk] ground rods for towers

[Carl Smidt]

I obtained a 150 ft, left-over, end of 3/0 TWU cable from an electrical
supply house. I was going to strip it of insulation and use it for my
relocated tower and also for equipment grounding purposes, but with all the
talk about copper strapping I am getting worried. Did I buy the wrong stuff?
It cost a mint and can't be returned. I don't believe wide copper straps are
available here in Sussex, N. B.

73,  Carl  VE9OV

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
[mailto:owner-towertalk@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Bob Wanderer
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2000 9:50 PM
To: TOWER REFLECTOR; Tom Hix W4TH
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] ground rods for towers



Contact PolyPhaser or AES for their tutorial "The 'Grounds'
for Lightning and EMP Protection."

A good lightning ground (which also constitutes a good RF
ground, although the converse is false) would consist of
several 50-foot radials eminating from each tower leg.  More
shorter runs are better than fewer longer runs.  There
should be a ground rod (preferably at least an 8-footer) at
the beginning and the end of each radial (the beginning rod
can be common to all radials from that tower leg).
Additional rods per radial should be spaced approximately
1-1/2 to 2 times the rod length (e.g. for 8-footers that
would be 12~16 feet).  Use wide copper strap for the radials
and to connect the radials to the tower.  #6 is for power
(60 Hz) use only; it is useless for a lightning ground.

At the shack, create a single point ground tying in the
equipment grounds, lightning (tower) ground, (coaxial cable
and ac power) surge protector groundfs, power company (and
other utlilities') grounds, etc.

Again, the PolyPhaser book (and products) are well worth the
price.

73
Bob AA0CY/3

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
[mailto:owner-towertalk@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Tom Hix
W4TH
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2000 3:08 AM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] ground rods for towers



How many ground rods should be used on a tower of 75 feet?
This tower is
used only for beams and dipole support. I have a friend who
says one is
enough, I have others who say one on each leg, what say ye
me hearties?
Also anyone who has an antenna modeling program and wouldnt
mind helping
out a non computer owner, please contact me. I have a wire
antenna I
want to try out and I am interested in seeing what the
computer has to
say about it.
thanks and 73
Tom

===================================
Be sure to visit my web sites.

Amateur radio amp tubes.
http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ClassifiedsCt/tomstubes/ind
ex.html

Ham Radio Homepage.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Woods/6222/



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FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com