[TowerTalk] Grounding of tower

Patrick Greenlee patrick_g at windstream.net
Wed May 8 09:18:24 EDT 2013


Jim, $8-$10 per connection certainly gives me motivation to seek 
alternatives.  I have done some reading and consulting since previous 
posting. I have the equipment and the skill and now after some consultations 
and reading I have an understanding of the methods needed.  I realize not 
everyone is so equipped and for them Cadweld "shots" at $10 are likely a 
wise choice. I would never say never regarding my use of Cadweld.  Who 
knows, maybe one day I will need to make a connection out in the boonies 
where there is no electrical power and terrain prevents getting close with 
my welding trailer and my back pack oxyacetylene rig is unavailable for 
silver solder alternatives.

For proper mounting of such items as AlphaDelta TransiTrap surge protectors 
to ground rods I prefer welding a stainless steel tab at or near the top of 
the rod. A drilled hole in this tab makes a fine mount for the protective 
device. Similarly a ground wire or braid terminated with a soldered terminal 
can be through bolted to a similar tab and then weatherproofed with your 
favorite goo.  I personally prefer this to the screw clamp sold for ground 
rod connection at the electrical supply house. Much of my hands on 
experience comes from the marine applications environment where salt air and 
some salt water splashing is the normal environment. Where I live there are 
no permits required and no inspections.  I prefer to try to understand the 
science behind "code" and meet or exceed its performance rather than 
slavishly follow it.

My situation is not unique but it does place me a few sigma out on the bell 
curve.  Most hams don't have the freedom I exercise. What with permits, 
inspections, home owner associations,  height restrictions, small lot sizes, 
RFI/TVI etc. I feel sorry for the average Joe trying to pursue a nice hobby 
while surrounded by Philistines.

73,

Patrick AF5CK

-----Original Message----- 
From: Jim W7RY
Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2013 10:10 PM
To: Patrick Greenlee ; Jim Lux ; towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Grounding of tower


>>I will be brushing up on welding of copper to copper as for me it would be
>>so very much more cost effective than the Cadweld approach.

>>>Patrick AF5CK

Cadweld one shots are about $8.00-$10.00  each.  A copper clad ground rod is
just that a thin copper plating.

73
Jim W7RY



-----Original Message----- 
From: Jim Lux
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 10:48 PM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Grounding of tower

On 5/6/13 2:13 PM, Hans Hammarquist wrote:
> Gentlemen,
>
>
> It's hard to believe that a screw connection can be approved for burial. 
> Even if it is allowed, and why wouldn't it, I still would (very strongly) 
> prefer to be able to inspect them now-and-then.
>

It's not, in general.. compression screw terminals need to be either
above grade or in an inspection well, like your PVC pipes. or the
sprinkler valve boxes mentioned in another post.

>
> I used short pieces of 4" schedule 40 PVC pipes around my ground 
> connections. Lowes has (I am sure) caps that fit over the 4" pipes so 
> grass and other stuff can cover them. I also like to be able to run the 
> lawn mower over it without problems.
>
>
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