[TowerTalk] Comprehensive Grounding

[Gary Schafer]

Jim Lux wrote:
> However, what's really important (at least according to the ap notes) is 
> the system, not just the components.  That's where the unbiased advice 
> is needed.


> A commercial installation is going to be concerned with revenue, and 
> "keeping it on the air".  The owners don't like having to write checks 
> for new equipment to replace the destroyed stuff.
> 
> Jim, W6RMK _______________________________________________
> 

You might be surprised. Commercial installations don't like to spend 
money on lightning protection any more than hams do.
Some (commercial) do the bare minimum and take their chances and replace 
or repair equipment when they do get hit. They always complain and tell 
you how "there is nothing that can be done to prevent lightning damage". 
You know the old tales you have heard for years.

When Polyphaser started, around late 70's, there were few radio 
installations that paid much attention to installing any type of surge 
protection equipment. Polyphaser probably did more for the industry on 
educating people about the importance of proper grounding and surge 
protection devices than anyone.

Motorola as an example, had some pretty good grounding standards at the 
time but didn't go far enough and they did not do much for surge 
protection devices. They have since revised many of their techniques and 
grounding programs mainly due to polyphaser.

It was a long hard struggle to overcome all the old wives tales about 
grounding and lightning protection applications. Many still exist. But 
proper techniques are much more accepted and practiced nowadays.

Polyphaser has a good book that you can buy called "the grounds for 
lightning and emp protection. Lots of good stuff in there. They tell you 
how to do some calculations to get you in the ball park on what you 
have. Yes it is biased toward using their products but there is a lot of 
good general information on grounding and why you do it a particular way.

73
Gary  K4FMX