On 12 Feb 2004 03:31:20 GMT, (Zeeeeeeee3) wrote:

I do not worry about a static discharge if the antenna is grounded. Hell, if
lightning its your house all you are going to worry about is your radio? I
am
thinking this is a good time to have the insurance paid up...

Is the static discharge unit only to protect the radio? I was under the
impression that it would also help prevent lightning strikes.
Thanks

No, it is what it says, for static discharge. It won't prevent
strikes. Disconnect all cables before they enter your house and
ground them.

No, it is what it says, for static discharge. It won't prevent
strikes. Disconnect all cables before they enter your house and
ground them.

Ok thanks. Follow-up question then.......why do I want to get rid of the
static? What if I don't?
Thanks

On 13 Feb 2004 03:25:08 GMT, (Zeeeeeeee3) wrote:

No, it is what it says, for static discharge. It won't prevent
strikes. Disconnect all cables before they enter your house and
ground them.

Ok thanks. Follow-up question then.......why do I want to get rid of the
static? What if I don't?
Thanks

It might only take a static charge of a few hundred volts to damage
components in your radio. If you don't, that depends, most people
don't use them. Disconnect and ground your cables when storms are
heading your way.

The antenna requires an earth ground, first, as required by
National Electrical Code. That mounting rod should be
connected to an eight+ foot earth ground rod (available even
in Home Depot and Lowes). This required by NEC for human
safety, but also to protect transistors.

Incoming wire should enter building at the service entrance
so that a ground block (maybe $1 at Radio Shack or Home Depot)
connects 'less than 10 feet' to the building's single point
earth ground. Same earthing ground that also connects to AC
electric, telephone, and cable TV wire. Do not even think an
AC receptacle or water faucet will provide that necessary
earthing.

NEC requirements have changed since 1990 to require a
service entrance ground rod. You may need to install this
earth ground rod at the service entrance. Many homes don't
even have that much which is another reason why some homes
suffer household electronics damage.

Principles are demonstrated in this figure. Note an antenna
tower and building each have their own earth ground. Each is
earthed as if it were a separate structure. Every incoming
wire makes a connection to that earth ground. To make the
'system' work better, a ground wire interconnects the antenna
and building earth grounds:

http://services.erico.com/public/lib...es/tncr002.pdf

Static is irrelevant. A few hundred volts of static will
not damage any properly built radio. You could even static
shock your car radio antenna or a portable radio antenna
without damage. That would be as much as 18,000 volts - and
still no damage.

The earthing is required by NEC for human safety AND also
provides transistor safety. If lightning is provided a path
to earth ground via that exterior rod, then it too will not
seek earth ground, destructively, via your radio. Direct
strike lightning damage is that easily avoided.
Unfortunately, too many don't have necessary earthing, suffer
damage, and then declare nothing could have helped.
Generations of technical history say otherwise. Its all about
earthing - as even required by code.

Zeeeeeeee3 wrote:
Ok thanks. Follow-up question then.......why do I want to get rid
of the static? What if I don't?
Thanks