newbie question, grounding
 

I am thinking of buying a beam antenna for HF.
I have been told that some antennas have earthing straps and some dont.

The antenna I have seen is a tribander with traps for 10-15-20. It has no
earthing strap on.
If I were to put an earthing strap on to the braid side first to the pole
then earth the pole.

Will this A, give me protection against lightning and B, improve signals
recieved.
Will there be any other effect. ie: swr etc.

I understand the middle element is a driven element, with an insulator on
and there is a director and reflector.

sorry if its a stupid question !!!

"joe" wrote in message ...
I am thinking of buying a beam antenna for HF.
I have been told that some antennas have earthing straps and some dont.

The antenna I have seen is a tribander with traps for 10-15-20. It has no
earthing strap on.
If I were to put an earthing strap on to the braid side first to the pole
then earth the pole.

Will this A, give me protection against lightning and B, improve signals
recieved.
Will there be any other effect. ie: swr etc.

I understand the middle element is a driven element, with an insulator on
and there is a director and reflector.

Hi Joe,

So many folks in this group were of incredible help to me in learning about
lightning protection, I hope you find similar assistance.

There is no example I am aware of where an antenna of a fixed-land facility
can avoid an earth ground and still obtain it's design efficiency _or_ be
safely attached to any structure. Grounding is vital to both. From the help
and discussions that started here, I prepared a collection of information
that turned into a web site for station grounding (one of hundreds out
there). But here it is if it will help you, I'm happy.
http://members.cox.net/pc-usa/ground1.htm

73's

Jack
Virginia Beach VA

Sorry for the error in URL, it s/b:

http://members.cox.net/pc-usa/station/ground1.htm

Jack

So many folks in this group were of incredible help to me in learning
about
lightning protection, I hope you find similar assistance.

There is no example I am aware of where an antenna of a fixed-land
facility
can avoid an earth ground and still obtain it's design efficiency _or_ be
safely attached to any structure. Grounding is vital to both. From the
help
and discussions that started here, I prepared a collection of information
that turned into a web site for station grounding (one of hundreds out
there). But here it is if it will help you, I'm happy.
://members.cox.net/pc-usa/ground1
73's

Jack
Virginia Beach VA

GRASSHOPPER. THE ONLY STUPID QUESTIONS ARE THOSE THAT ARE NEVER ASKED.

73's

On Fri, 30 Apr 2004 20:00:42 +0100, "joe" wrote:

I am thinking of buying a beam antenna for HF.
I have been told that some antennas have earthing straps and some dont.

The antenna I have seen is a tribander with traps for 10-15-20. It has no
earthing strap on.
If I were to put an earthing strap on to the braid side first to the pole
then earth the pole.

Will this A, give me protection against lightning and B, improve signals
recieved.
Will there be any other effect. ie: swr etc.

I understand the middle element is a driven element, with an insulator on
and there is a director and reflector.

sorry if its a stupid question !!!

Jack thats a great website for lightning protection. There is a lot there I
hadnt thought about and it is most useful for me. Joe I have recently bought
a secondhand hf antenna which didnt come with grounding straps either, cant
answer your question but am listening with interest, because I have wondered
that myself.
Its not a stupid question at all only a progression of your knowlege
banks!!!
Im sure there are guys who have a lot of experience in this field here in
the newsgroup and can tell us all about the benefits of grounding the braid
or even if we should.
My antenna is a Cushcraft A3S which sounds similar to yours.

Les
GM4JNW


"joe" wrote in message
...
I am thinking of buying a beam antenna for HF.
I have been told that some antennas have earthing straps and some dont.

The antenna I have seen is a tribander with traps for 10-15-20. It has no
earthing strap on.
If I were to put an earthing strap on to the braid side first to the pole
then earth the pole.

Will this A, give me protection against lightning and B, improve signals
recieved.
Will there be any other effect. ie: swr etc.

I understand the middle element is a driven element, with an insulator on
and there is a director and reflector.

sorry if its a stupid question !!!

Hi,

Some useful information maybe :
http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry/menu-qsl.htm
section "Antenna systems"
Several articles answer to your questions, I hope so.

73
Thierry, ON4SKY, LX3SKY




"joe" wrote in message
...
I am thinking of buying a beam antenna for HF.
I have been told that some antennas have earthing straps and some dont.

The antenna I have seen is a tribander with traps for 10-15-20. It has no
earthing strap on.
If I were to put an earthing strap on to the braid side first to the pole
then earth the pole.

Will this A, give me protection against lightning and B, improve signals
recieved.
Will there be any other effect. ie: swr etc.

I understand the middle element is a driven element, with an insulator on
and there is a director and reflector.

sorry if its a stupid question !!!