[TowerTalk] Lightning Protection

[K8RI]

On 7/4/2013 4:09 PM, les wrote:
> Is it better to place lightning protecting at the base of the tower or
> where it enters the house. All cables will be in a buried conduit.
> _______________________________________________

It all depends, but it is required at the entrance by code.  If the 
tower is mote than a few feet from the house, then I'd also do it there.

I ground all coax braids at the top and bottom of the 100' tower with 
the use of bulkhead connectors. You can reduce the loss "slightly by 
using a grounding kit at each point instead of bulkhead connectors, but 
at the frequencies most of us run, I think it's a waste of time and no 
small effort.  OTOH on microwave frequencies, every little bit helps and 
there the loss of connectors is far more than at HF.  From the

In my installation the coax goes to the grounds at the base, then back 
up about 3 feet to a large NEMA box. They enter the junction box through 
bulkhead connectors as well. there is a 6-pack inside.

from there they go underground in conduits to the house and shop where 
there are grounding panels and polyphasers.  In the shop I have a patch 
panel that aids in disconnecting the rigs.

Remember the loss figures for connectors is at their upper frequency 
limit so when used at HF the loss is miniscule.
>

73

Roger (K8RI)
>
>
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