Thank you, Jack... (see below)

On Mon, 28 Feb 2005 00:38:18 -0500, "Jack Painter"
wrote:

Hi Buck,

SNIP

For HF-only feedlines (where an extra 40-60' of coax would add superficial
loss) there should be no excuse for not bringing all feedlines into the
structure only at the service entrance. UHF systems that suffer much higher
line loss tempt us to bring antenna feedlines directly into the radio shack.
THAT causes a major bonding headache. This is because we have to achieve
such low impedance connections to the service ground that lightning will
never choose a path up from ground, through our equipment, and out via the
house wiring to get back to the service entrance ground. We are never fully
protected from such occurrence if the station ground and service ground are
apart from each other, no matter how well they are bonded. But we can be
reasonably protected in that respect, when the bonding jumper is of
significantly lower impedance than the AC wiring in the home.

#8 copper is no where near the "significantly lower impedance" we're talking
about. Either wide copper strapping or #2 or #4 copper would be a better
example for the bonding connection between service entrance and station
ground. The more places along the way that bonding jumper is also bonded to
the outdoor antenna ground fields, radials, etc, the better. Voltage
division plays a big part when everything is bonded and many grounding
electrodes are used.

Hope this helps,
73,
Jack Painter
Virginia Beach, Virginia

While I am still digesting this a bit, I at least understand why I was
so confused about the ground loop in the first place. This also
explains why some contradict each other.

As for trying to reach the service entrance here, it is almost not
practical to do so with the antenna elements. The Service entrance
here is kitty-cornered from both the shack and the direction of the
antennas. The antennas would have an extra 150 + feet to feed to go
directly to the service entrance. (dipoles only, no verticals at this
time).

The more I re-read what you said, the more I think I understand. I am
in the process of planning a move so I am not planning to improve
conditions here but at least I know how to plan for the new QTH.

My battery charger is double fused (positive and negative leads) so I
would assume that if lightning tried to find its way to the ground
side, it would blow the fuses first. Of course, if it takes 10,000
volts to jump approximately one inch and lightning is typically
hundreds or thousands of feet high.... little good the fuse would be
in a direct hit.

One of my plans for my next QTH will be to mount feed-through SO-239s
on an metal plate and connect my lightning arresters and ground them
before the antennas come into the shack. Based on your message, I am
thinking that a good connection from there to the service panel ground
would be good too?

Thanks again,


--
73 for now
Buck
N4PGW

"Buck" wrote
/snip
One of my plans for my next QTH will be to mount feed-through SO-239s
on an metal plate and connect my lightning arresters and ground them
before the antennas come into the shack. Based on your message, I am
thinking that a good connection from there to the service panel ground
would be good too?

Thanks again,
--
73 for now
Buck
N4PGW

Yes Buck, it would be good. Real good ;-)

Even if you add a 120/240v service branch panel to your new shack (as I
did), NEC prohibits a separate neutral/ground bonding at that panel. For our
purposes, it could be argued that we would be much safer if we could do
that, and then let that ground share with the station single point ground.
But if you ever had a fire for any reason the insurance would distance
themselves from you fast when they saw that. Better to stay code and suffer
the (cost) consequences of making the bond to the main service entrance.

73,
Jack