SV: [Elecraft] bonding of grounding systems

[Gregg Lengling]

Before I retired I ran a 2-way radio shop for years and owned many towers
(read:  Lit towers...bigguns) and I did a lot of research and took many
classes in grounding systems.  Probably the best class I ever took was from
PolyPhaser (see their web site http://www.polyphaser.com for great grounding
information and lightning protection).  I have a copper entrance panel next
to my tower where all my coaxes enter the house.  At this point I also have
all lines....antenna, satellite, rotor ect. Protected by different
PolyPhaser protection devices.  This panel is connected to my ground grid
system around my tower with 8" copper strap...very very low inductance.
>From the entrance panel to both of my ham shacks I have 4" copper strap to
the operating positions with all the rigs, tuners, rotor controls ect.
Connected to them.  The first thing I noticed was that I got even better
signals on the top bands.  This created a much better ground for the
antennas than just using the coax shields.  Also being in the 2-way business
all those years, we couldn't just disconnect all the repeaters and base
stations everytime an electrical storm came by, we had to learn how to
protect them so they could work all the time.  With this type of system and
protection you can be assured of some really good results.  As I was used to
having everything hooked up all the time, it's the same in my Ham Shack all
the rigs (5 in one location and 3 in the other) are hooked to antennas full
time, no need for disconnecting the antennas and then after the storm
wondering why you couldn't hear anything because you forgot to hook them
back up.   

If you ever want to see some pics....I'd be glad to post them on an open web
space.


Gregg R. Lengling, W9DHI, Retired
Administrator http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org
K2/100 S#3075 KX1 S# 57
Member:  ARRL, RSGB, RCA, WERA and ORC