[TowerTalk] What's a "Good Grounding System"??

[Jerry Keller]

Bob, AA0CY/3 posted:   "
Again, as has been emphasized by other posters, a good
ground system (and of course there too there are differing
opinions on what constitutes a good grounding system) is the
most important aspect of lightning portection."

Everyone probably already knows the basics... ground each chassis to a
common station ground buss, turn the antenna switch to the "common"
(grounded) center position when not in use or storms are in the area, tie
the station ground and every other ground on the property to the service
(AC) ground (usually the ground rod directly under the electric meter),
stuff like that.
(Maybe there's some disagreement with all that?) But this reflector concerns
towers, so.....

Assume a 60 foot tower on a big chunk of concrete with a rebar cage inside.
Exactly what would constitute a "good ground".... or more particularly, a
"good enough ground" to handle whatever lightning strike might hit the
tower, and keep it from destroying anything...how many ground rods, how
deep? Anything else? What about "lightning arrestors", "surge protectors",
and the like.... any good?

Jerry K3MGT







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