Jeff Dieterle wrote:

I'm installing a 60ft self-supporting tower. It will have a vhf/uhf antenna
with rotator and a couple of satellite dishes on it. The tower will be set
in a concrete apprx. 4'x4'x4'. Is driving a copper clad 5/8"x8ft ground rod
and attaching a #6cu ground wire to the tower leg sufficient.
I live in a heavily wooded area and have lost several modems to lighting
strikes. Now when it looks like thunder 2 states away I unplug them on my
computers and Directv receivers.



Check with your local building inspector. The National Electrical Code and your
local zoning have requirements for proper grounding.

Basically, the ground at your home is the ground rod at the service panel for
your electrical service.

When I installed my last tower each leg had to be connected to an 8 foot ground
rod with #6 AWG. Each of the ground rods had to be interconnected. And, the
total connection, towers and rods, connected to the service entrance ground by
#6 AWG run EXTERNAL to the house. [Keep current OUTSIDE the house]. This met
insurance requirements. But, as mentioned in another response, it does little
for protection from a nearby or direct lightning strike to your radio equipment.