[TowerTalk] lightning arrester suggestions

[Jim Brown]

On 12/15/2025 1:56 PM, n4zkf n4zkf.com wrote:
> As mentioned, the buss bar should be connected to the house ground, and I also have a ground ring around each tower with 9 rods all shot to the ring and not clamped. Keep it all on the same potential.

That depends entirely on the distance between the tower and the 
premises. Lightning is an RF event, and at RF, a wire looks like a big 
inductor. I've seen credible recommendations (IEEE, for example), that 
says if more than 60 ft, (I've used 100 ft) a bonding conductor is not 
needed for lightning safety. BUT -- if there is mains power at the 
tower, wiring to it MUST, by law, carry a bonding conductor (green wire) 
for electrical safety -- that is, to blow a breaker in the event of a 
fault that makes a chassis "hot" to protect personnel.

73, Jim K9YC