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Old January 25th 05, 08:12 AM
Old Macdonald
 
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How do you have your
antenna wire coming into your shack?


About the best method would be to replace a small window with a metal panel.
Earth (ground) the panel well and fit back-to-back chassis-mount connectors.
You can stuff in more connectors than you need, for future use.

Ground the shack internal equipment to the same panel, especially if you
have high antennas/masts or long HF antennas. A good ground can save a lot
of tears if you ever have a lightning strike. Of course, you can never
protect against a direct strike, but you can protect against an indorect
strike.

With this method you will reduce the risk of indirect lightning damage as
well have a connection panel on the inside so you can swap plugs around
easily. You can easily unplug equipment in stormy weather.

Don't forget to add a "drip loop" to all external cables terminated to the
panel, or rain-water could be guided by cables to the face of the panel.

Do not be tempted to use a simple perspex, or other insulated panel. You
could bring static into the shack, or even feed volts out (non-grouded
equipment - mains leakage), which can give you a bit of a shock when working
on antennas and you are well grounded :-(.