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timgr · 25-Sep-2014, 9:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billg

Hi All,

I'm getting ready to DIY a new setup based on the advice from this thread:

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.p...ed=1#post46817

I will have to experiment with tripod vs mast installation on my roof and chimney, but either way I will be putting a big metal spike on my metal roof down here in lightning-prone South Florida.

I was planning to use something like this to ground the coax coming from the antenna into the house:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=A1SRR0B7QVPEN

Unfortunately the antenna won't be anywhere near my utility service, so I'll be attaching it to as big of a grounding rod as I can get into the ground, with #12 copper wire.

I presume it's still a good idea to ground the antenna itself though, right? I'm less clear on best practices for doing that. Assuming I can use the same grounding rod and #12 wire, can I run the grounding wire alongside the coax (since they'll be going to approximately the same place), or will that introduce noise or other unintended consequences? Can I run the wire right along my roof, or is it better/required to put it in nonconductive conduit, elevate it, or otherwise treat it differently? Is #12 even heavy enough for this application? I'm going to need probably close to 25' to get from the antenna to the ground (though the house is only a single story).

Any advice/best practices would be appreciated.

There is a lot of lightning in Florida, isn't there?

I would put a ground clamp on the mast and run #6 or larger copper wire to the service ground of your house. You can buy any length of solid #6 copper wire that you need from sellers on eBay. Cheaper than any local source I've found, and you can buy whatever length you need.

Grounding is covered a lot in older posts, including this recent post - http://forum.tvfool.com/showpost.php...11&postcount=9

Note that dedicated lightning rods use even larger wire for their down leads, like #4 braided copper wire. You could use this instead, but it's significantly more expensive than the #6 solid wire.