[Elecraft] K3S proper grounding?

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

I agree with Fred in that there is no one system or method that "fits 
all".  In general I view station grounding approaches as 4 different 
systems, all which should be implemented.

(a)   All driven grounds must be bonded to each other an to the AC Mains 
ground and this should occur outside of the structure or house.  I find 
no exception to this practice unless a tower is 200 ft or more from the 
structure at which point a ground system should be located at the base 
of the tower.

(b)  Third pin green wire or safety ground for equipment must always be 
in place and not "cheated" with an adapter.

(c)  All lightning protection should occur before any feed line or rotor 
control enters the building.   Its ground attachment should be part of 
the driven ground and bonding system.  Towers should have a ground from 
top to bottom and not relay solely on the structure alone.  Don't forget 
to bond the rotating mast out the top of the tower to the tower itself.

(d)  Certain type of antennas do require a specific ground system which 
I refer as RF Ground.   A few driven ground rods do not make a RF 
Ground.   Those being, but not solely inclusive, verticals, slopers, end 
fed Zepps, long wires and such as examples.


As to running a ground from the operating position to the outside ground 
system, I've never found this necessary with proper antenna 
installation.  In many cases, the length of the ground conductor becomes 
or acts as an antenna system and actual picks up RF from the 
transmitting antenna thus placing the station above RF ground. {Opinions 
will vary on this point.}  I view if one has RF on the equipment, don't 
run it to ground.  Change the antenna and / or feed system to get the RF 
to the antenna where it will do some good and thus not just warm the 
earth worms.

73
Bob, K4TAX
K3S s/n 10,163

On 9/27/2015 3:20 PM, Fred Townsend wrote:
> erry there is NO one size fits all grounding solution. As Don suggests you
> are really dealing with four grounding systems. Your RF or rig ground, a
> lightning ground, your NEC or house power ground (neutral), and finally the
> safety ground (green wire) ground which is really part of the NEC ground.
> Often the requirements of one system will be at odds with other grounding
> requirements. For instance you generally want a high impedance for RFI
> issues and a very low impedance for lightning grounds.  One system defeats
> the other so they really need to be separate systems.
> Your NEC and lightning grounds have very serious safety issues so running
> your proposed wiring changes by your local power company can often be very
> helpful. Most power companies have an expert on such issues although the
> existence of such a person is often a closely held secret.
> 73
> Fred, AE6QL