Dick:
Below are some nuggets of wisdom I've gathered from reading the postings
on this reflector over the years.
1. You cannot protect the tower, antennas and rigs from a direct lightning
strike. You can only attempt to minimize the damage if that happens.
2. Your tower ought to have at least one ground wire, minimum of #8 gauge
wire, to one ground rod within two feet of each tower leg. The latest version
of the National Electrical Code mandates two ground rods and two wires at each
leg.
3. You ought to ground each coax cable shield to the tower at the top and at
the bottom of the tower.
4. You ought to install lightning suppressors on all wires and cables
coming into your shack. Polyphaser makes these as do ICE and Delta. <All
cables> includes the coax runs, your control lines to your rotator and antenna
switch(es), and any DC or AC supply lines going up the tower.
5. You ought to install these suppressors immediately outside your shack
entrance onto a single-point ground (SPG) panel. This panel ought to be
connected to another ground rod via another #8 minimum ground wire. The ground
connections from all the electrical systems within your house (electrical
supply panel, cable TV, telephone, etc.) should also be connected to this SPG
panel.
6. You ought to search the TowerTalk archives for details on how to do all
of these things.
7. When you have finished reading all you can stand, come back to this
reflector again and ask some more questions. We're only too glad to help.
What did I miss mentioning, gents?
73 de
Gene Smar AD3F
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Richard W. Solomon" <w1ksz@earthlink.net>
> Looking for advice on what to use to protect the Tower, Antennas and
> Rigs from lightning strikes. I guess I need Tower Ground(s) and some
> kind of Coax grounding that can survive.
> I looked at the Polyphaser site, but unless you know the Model Number,
> it could be a long night.
>
> What would you suggest ?
>
> Thanks,
>
> 73, Dick, W1KSZ
>
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