[TowerTalk] Grounding

[Rob Atkinson, K5UJ]

Not an expert on this by any means but I think a long ground run from the 
second floor will cause problems for you at frequencies where the length of 
the run is a large fraction (1/4) or more of the wavelength ur operating on. 
  I think hams in your type of situation employ wires, one for each band 
they want to operate on with each one being 1/2 w. for its respective band.  
Use insulated wire, #14 probably okay, and play them out away from the bus 
that all your gear is strapped to.  the idea is to have all your gear 
working on a low resistance RF ground counterpoise.  Safety ground (DC 
ground) goes thru ur AC service lines.  You can also use one wire and tune 
it with a tank circuit.  There is one available ready made (the MFJ 
Artificial Ground) but I personally think it is overpriced and not very well 
made.

Rob Atkinson
K5UJ

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