[TowerTalk] Attic tower and lighting protection/grounding

[DavidC]

I would be terrified to do that here in central Florida!  I would
expect that despite the grounding straps and Polyphasers that 
lightning will jump down into the copper plumbing and copper
wire to try to find alternative pathways ... the image is scary!

Where you are is probably far less lightning prone so y'all may 
be ok!  We will await your reports!  ;-)

- Thanks! & 73, DavidC  K1YP in Hudson, FL

> I'm going to give the "Attic Tower" from QST a try.  I
> plan to run two 2" wide copper straps down from the
> top of the tower above the roof.  I will also attach a
> flexible strap from the mast to the top of the tower
> and in turn the copper straps.  These straps will go
> to the ground, (one to the front of the house and one
> to the back) then connect to a ground system that
> surrounds half of the house (about 8 rods, 60 ft of
> copper connecting them, tied into the power ground). 
> Coax will be run outside to a entrance/ground panel
> that other antenna's use.  A coax polyphaser or ICE
> arrestor will be installed on the ground panel.  The
> rotor cable will run inside the attic, drop outside
> through the soffit and be connected to a ICE arrestor
> on the entrance panel.
> 
> How's this sound ? Any major problems ?
> 
> I'm also wondering if I should also ground the base of
> the tower inside the attic and run the ground along
> side the rotor cable to the entrance panel and ground
> system ?  Would this be a dangerous second path ? or a
> extra level of safety.
> 
> Thanks in Advance for any help/ideas/comments.
> 
> 73's
> 
> - Jim (wb1dog)


__________________________________________
NetZero - Defenders of the Free World
Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at
http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm