[TowerTalk] Installing Copper Strap In Shack

[James C. Hall, M.D.]

Hi Keith:

In my installation (which is above my garage), I have a bus bar (Cu) under
the desk. I have more than one radio, but with my main setup, I have found
that using the ground point on my high power tuner as a 'secondary' SPG,
then coming down to the bus bar, works for me. I then use 1.5" copper strap
from the bus going down a 3" PVC pipe from the floor of the shack to an old
breaker box housing my SPG panel. I attach the copper strap to the top of
the panel and then attach more copper strap from the bottom of the SPG to
the 'first' ground rod. On the panel, I have mounted all my ICE (or
Polyphaser) lightning protectors. In the shack, I constructed a baseboard
box from the border of my operating desk to over the 3" PVC opening. This is
where all my coax, control lines, and ground strap are funneled. It is easy
to simply unscrew the top of the baseboard box to access the lines (add new
ones !).

Oh, BTW, I've been hamming for over 30 years, and I've used braid off of
RG-8-like cable for years to connect equipment grounds to the bus (indoors)
without any difficulty.

If you need further visualization of this, I could be talked into sending
you a picture of the setup. :)

73, Jamie
WB4YDL

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Keith Dutson
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 4:27 PM
To: 'TowerTalk'
Subject: [TowerTalk] Installing Copper Strap In Shack

A load of Cu strap just arrived at the house, rolls of 3 in and 1.5 in.  The
edge of the 3 in roll is somewhat battered and will need to be straightened.
I plan to use a piece of wood and a hammer to do this while it is still
rolled up.  Then the strap will be cut to length and installed from the
station buss bar to the SPG, replacing the existing braid.

Any tips on cleaning/coating the copper to make and keep it nice and bright?
I don't want it to turn color over time if at all possible.  Also, the strap
runs across a space between the desk and wall that is accessed infrequently.
When access is required, would you just unbolt the strap, or is there a
convenient way to make a quick disconnect?  TIA

Keith NM5G

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