On 1 Jan 2007 04:40:29 -0800, "
wrote:

I would like to propose a grounding arrangement for my [hypothetical]
antenna and get some feedback on it. I have access to the solid-copper
cold-water pipe that enters my home through the basement wall close to
the basement floor. This pipe is used [in addition to cold water] for
the service entrance [circuit breaker box] ground.

Hi OM,

You have the classic service ground connection.

I was thinking of
putting an antenna outside on a pole and running the coax into the
basement. Then I would strip back several inches of the outer jacket
of the coax [axposing the braided shield] and connect the coax braid to
the cold water pipe using several hose clamps.

This qualifies, in most respects, to code for grounding a continuous
wire and employing a method prescribed by code, clamping. However, it
would seem that clamping might deform the coax. You should
investigate your local code for alternatives as well as for
compliance.

This should ground the
coax directly to the service ground - the single point ground for the
house. I would add an arrester near the ground point.

Then you are breaking the run instead of just simply stripping the
jacket. Check code.

I would then run
the coax upstairs [about 10 feet] to the radio, where it would [via the
PL-259] connect to the transceiver chassis. The radio chassis will be
electrically bonded to peripheral equipment chassis'.

This is also classically known as a suicide connection. If you were
holding the PL-259 shell in one hand, and touched any, poorly
maintained metal chassis of the transceiver while plugging it in (or
removing it); then you might just be the fuse in a circuit about to
blow. I've seen my buddy draw sparks with just such an arrangement
before I convinced him to run a real, separate ground.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC