[TowerTalk] [Bulk] Antenna to Shack Ground Connection

[Bryan Swadener via TowerTalk]

Patrick,
1. Neither of us have any idea whether my licensed PE did (or did not do) any calculations. Since it's his job to know and he's done it for decades, I trust his opinion. However, to satisfy you, I'm willing to pass my PE's contact information to you (off list) so you can ask him if he did any calculations. Please don't tell him I referred you.
2. 2/0 is a safer bet than smaller gauge wire. Since the potential loss is great, I'd rather err on the large side.  And again, it is a ONE TIME investment. Unlike many penny-wise and pound foolish hams, when my butt is on the line, I have no issues with spending more as long as the pocketbook allows. Compared to the overall cost of installing a used TX472 + F12 C-4XL, the cost of 2/0 wire was less than tiny.

vy 73,
Bryan WA7PRC
 
    Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 07:58:06 -0600
From: Patrick Greenlee 
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] [Bulk]  Antenna to Shack Ground Connection

It is unlikely that he did calculations to arrive at his 2/0 statement.  
More likely it is a "stock" prescription that works with all interested 
parties and likely serves its intended purpose. Frequently practitioners 
of a discipline give stock answers to stock problems.  Do not assume 
your specific case got special custom treatment. That is unlikely.

Patrick  NJ5G


On 2/3/2015 3:14 AM, Bryan WA7PRC via TowerTalk wrote:
> When I erected my tower, my PE (a ham who was recommended by TT people) wrote:
>
> "Each tower leg shall be bonded to one ground electrode minimum using 2/0 or equivalent wire"> 
> I presume he knows of what he writes. Since it's a one-time investment and I didn't want to PO my PE> (and also not pass my county's final inspection), I just did what he wrote.> 
> vy 73,> Bryan WA7PRC