[TowerTalk] Help Needed for my First Tower --Coax Grounding

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

On 10/16/2013 8:21 AM, Pete M wrote:
> I would agree, normally, but I have sold many ground kits here for 
> $3-$5 each (new). And have seen many for sale on ePay an other places 
> for low and close to these prices.  I am not trying to sell any here 
> and now.  Please do not ask if I have any "???" for sale ... I will 
> not reply too those.
>
> Bottom line ... the grounding of the Heliax should be done per Mfg's 
> recommendation ... they have more experience than we do ( I hope) and 
> I do believe there are certain NEC codes that are applicable to this.

I agree with the Heliax even when used on HF, but it's because of cost. 
They save you nothing as far as loss.  IOW there is no practical reason 
for using them at HF other than they can leave the coax at a curve.

The reason for grounding kits is a simple one.  They avoid additional 
connectors and their losses.  At HF and Amateur power levels, ( even 
most QRO) this is not a problem, even when using UHF connectors.  The 
loss per connector is miniscule and I'd not be concerned until well into 
the UHF range.  When we see these loss figures for connectors, they are 
at the upper frequency limit for the connectors.

I have, on average, about 10 connectors between the amp and antennas.  
The measured loss, at the operating frequency(s),  when added for a 
total is still a tiny fraction of a db. I do run QRO.  I also use 
regular coax consisting of  RG8X,  LMR-400, and LMR-600 and gain nothing 
on HF or even VHF by using grounding kits over bulkhead connectors.  
Were I using hard line and/or operating in the upper UHF range, then I'd 
us grounding kits.

If you really do want to use grounding kits, buy one and duplicate it. 
They are very simple to make and can be made without cutting any holes 
in the copper.  I just don't figure they are worth the effort in most cases.


73

Roger (K8RI)

>
> Look around you will find complete new ground kits ( with sealants, etc)
>
> Pete WA2ODO
>
>
> On 10/15/2013 7:09 PM, Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:
>> On 10/15/2013 4:34 PM, Richard Solomon wrote:
>>> I have 8 never used Grounding Kits for Coaxial Cable (their title), 
>>> that
>>> will fit
>>> anything from 1/2" up. Made by Radio Frequency Systems (but look a 
>>> lot like
>>> Andrew).
>>>
>>> I posted them here some time ago, but got no interest. Any interest 
>>> now ??
>>>
>>> 73, Dick, W1KSZ
>>
>> You can use the grounding kits, which are very effective although 
>> they do require some work and weatherproofing.  There is also the 
>> simple way, but expensive. Two coax connectors and a bulk head 
>> connector.
>>
>> I'd use the bulkhead connector with less expensive coax on HF. All 3 
>> connectors cost less than one hard line connector and about the same 
>> as 1 grounding kit. They are also very effective.   I use it up 
>> through LMR-600
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Roger (K8RI)
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 1:14 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR 
>>> <n4zr at contesting.com>wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have used stainless shim stock from McMaster-Carr to address this
>>>> problem.  The Andrew kits are nice if you can find them, but not 
>>>> cheap.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Pete N4ZR
>>>> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
>>>> http://reversebeacon.net,
>>>> blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
>>>> For spots, please go to your favorite
>>>> ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
>>>>
>>>> On 10/15/2013 8:27 AM, Wayne Willenberg wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hello.  I am making good progress on my new (and first) tower.
>>>>>
>>>>> I am connecting my RF signals to the Yagis on my new tower using 7/8”
>>>>> Andrew Heliax.  I would like to ground the top and bottom of the 
>>>>> Heliax to
>>>>> one of the galvanized legs of the tower.
>>>>>
>>>>> I am concerned about putting 2 dissimilar metals together (i.e., the
>>>>> corrugated shield of the Heliax and the galvanized steel leg of the
>>>>> tower).
>>>>>
>>>>> What type of metal is used to make the outermost shield of Heliax?
>>>>>
>>>>> And, do I need an intermediate metal (like stainless steel) 
>>>>> between the
>>>>> Heliax shield and the tower leg?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for your help.
>>>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ______________________________**_________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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