TV Fool  

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 12-Jul-2012, 7:01 PM   #1
gilzoo
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1
Brooklyn Grounding Question

Hey there,

My situation is similar to: http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=8916

I'm in NYC (Brooklyn) too and am about to mount a Antennacraft HBU22 on the roof of our building. It's a 4 story brownstone with nearly direct sight of the Empire State from the roof.

My question is - what's the best way to ground the antenna and/or mast? I'm I don't have any actual dirt anywhere around the building - we live in a concrete jungle! I don't see any of the antennas or dishes on our roof currently grounded. Is it neccessary? I was going to buy a grounding block and send a ground right before it enters my window on the second floor. But it's in an interior shaft and doesn't face the street. I might be able to send it back over the roof and towards the street.

Other options are a fire escape that doesn't touch the ground or potentially sending it down into the basement of the building where the pipes are.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Last edited by GroundUrMast; 12-Jul-2012 at 7:25 PM. Reason: Move to independent thread, with ref. to related thread
gilzoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-Jul-2012, 7:40 PM   #2
GroundUrMast
Moderator
 
GroundUrMast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
If you lived in an open field, with no electrical service, a new ground rod driven into the earth would likely be the best option. But most OTA TV antenna installations are not out in an empty field. The ideal ground connection point is the existing electrical service ground. In a single family home, it's usually easy to locate. It's adjacent to the electrical meter in most cases.

In your case, the best (though likely not easiest) ground connection would be to the existing building electrical service ground. I expect that in a multifamily building, you'll need to work with the manager or super'.

I have no doubt that most antenna masts and down-leads are not grounded... and that they work fine for their entire life-span. Still, I recommend that you make the effort, as an 'insurance policy' in the unlikely event there is an electrical fault or thunder storm.

Don't use the fire escape as a ground.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=901
__________________
If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')

Last edited by GroundUrMast; 12-Jul-2012 at 7:42 PM. Reason: Added link to thread 901
GroundUrMast is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off




All times are GMT. The time now is 4:54 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © TV Fool, LLC