[TowerTalk] Grounding, Lightning & corona discharge

[Keith Dutson]

I have heard and read about grounding the coax to the tower at both ends of
the cable.  However, there is apparently a way for huge amounts of voltage
to get past this ground point and make its way to the shack entrance.  So
plan on an arrestor there to be on the safe side.  Also, some folks make a
full run of coax from antenna to shack entrance, with no barrel connectors
in between, to reduce signal loss, particularly at 6 meters and above.

Keith


-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Gene Smar
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 11:02 AM
To: jimjarvis at ieee.org; j4976 at juno.com
Cc: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Grounding, Lightning & corona discharge

Dear anonymous:

     Absolutely route your cable underground if possible.  But first, ensure
that you have connected the coax shield to the tower at the bottom and at
the top.  In this way you'll divert the lightning energy into the ground
field BEFORE the coax goes underground. You won't have to worry about your
coax arcing through the jacket material underground.

73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F

----- Original Message -----
From: <j4976 at juno.com>
To: <jimjarvis at ieee.org>
Cc: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 11:35 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Grounding, Lightning & corona discharge


> A question on the lightning issue:
>
> Does anyone know if there is any benefit to routing the cabling from
> tower to house underground using a direct bury grade of cable?  I thought
> it might encourage discharge into the ground or toward the water table
> prior to entry considering that to a lightning bolt, the insulation on
> the cable would be a joke.
>
> - Thanks.
>
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_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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