"Greg" wrote


From: "RHF"
Organization: http://groups.google.com
Newsgroups: rec.radio.shortwave
Date: 22 Apr 2005 07:18:06 -0700
Subject: Antenna Suggestions and Lightning Protection

Dr, Artaud,
.
You are interested in installing a 'shallow' Inverted
"V" Antenna that would be center over your House; and
you want to improve your Lightning Protection at the
same time.
(Snip)

RHF - I don't recall Dr. Artaud's particular circumstance, but here is
mine:
My radio table faces an inside wall. The widow is across the room. Under
the window is a long concrete patio. So I can't have an earth ground
nearby. I can put up an antenna as you describe. My question: Is it
safe
to disconnect the antenna input (center of coax) from the radio and switch
it to the household AC ground for lightning protection?

Greg

Greg, before you entertain such suicidal thoughts again, please browse my
website explanation of why your home's electrical wiring and ground system
are not meant to handle lightning surges. While Cuhulin entertains us with
his every post, his comment is nonetheless correct that a patio ground is
possible. So is drilling a hole and sinking a ground rod through your radio
room floor. But if renting a Hilti hammer-drill and concrete drill bits
isn't your cup of tea, then consider coming through a different wall of the
radio room that does have a short path to deep earth ground.

The very best plan, no matter what room in your home you want to connect and
listen from, would be to route all antenna feedlines to the AC service
entrance ground FIRST, (shield grounding the coax at the base of the
antennas and at the service entrance, install lightning arrestors on the
coax at the same ground rod, then snake them into your radio room any
way/direction you have to. It would be safer if your radio room was also
right next to the AC service entrance ground, but you will see options on
the website to deal with that problem if it's not close.

http://members.cox.net/pc-usa/station/ground0.htm

Best regards,

Jack Painter
Virginia Beach, Virginia