I'm with Tom...

One should NEVER use the metal screw or electrical conduit for an earth
ground. Not only is this contrary to the NEC code but it allows ground loop
currents to exist along the single ground path due to inconsistent bonding
between conduit, flanges, flange screws and...eventually...the ground rod.
Lightning will follow the path of least resistance. You will often see a
coil (even a single turn) of taped of professional communications atenna
systems at the point of entry into the building. This is to provide, however
slight, a small impedance to discourage lightning current from taking THAT
path and, instead chosing a separate direct ground path.
Do this little experiment: Install a good ground at the entry to your house
and run a wire to it for your shortwave receiver. Once done, take an
ohmmeter and measure the resistance between that ground wire and the screw
on your wall outlet. I have often been surprised at how much resistance
exists between the wall outlet and a "real ground." Well, that resistance is
probably more than enough to divert a lightning current to a shorter path to
your receiver such as through its antenna. Good luck.


Vern Weiss W9STB


"w_tom" wrote in message
...
Protecting the antenna means providing lightning with an
alternative path to earth. Your building does that just fine.
But be better advised to earth using a lightning rod located
above the roof.

Safety ground system and earthing system share many
components. Different systems for different purposes with
some common parts. AC wall receptacle is not an earth
ground. An antenna is earthed so that lightning will not take
a more destructive path via the receiver. Ac receptacle
ground means lightning would spread out inside the building to
damage other electronics.

Connect things to the wall receptacle grounded screw to
protect human life. This is not same as earthing lightning.
To earth lightning, install Ben Franklin's well proven
solution above the roof. Earth incoming transients on utility
wires using either 'whole house' protector or a ground block -
all connected to a common earth ground that remains outside
the building.

Steve Rabinowitz wrote:
I guess the old way of attaching a wire to the screw that holds
the face plate of the electric outlet won't be any good then. I
could have swore my father years ago used that for grounding.